SWELTERING Brits found shop shelves being stripped of paddling pools earlier today — ahead of tomorrow’s 31C (88F) sizzler.
Tesco and B&Q bosses ordered in tens of thousands more to cope with the surge in demand, but some stores were running low earlier tonight.
Tesco alone reckons it will sell 30,000 this weekend, along with 20,000 garden sand pits.
The supermarket’s outdoor toys buyer Bryony Watson said: “Along with barbecue food, inflatable pools are at the very top of the shopping list.”
Tomorrow is set to be the hottest day of the year so far.
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Thirsty folk are expected to sink 4.5million cans or bottles of beer, and three million bottles of wine.
But health chiefs, who have issued a heatwave alert across London, the Midlands and the South, urged people to go easy on the booze.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency, also asked people to keep an eye on the old or sick.
He said: “The forecasted temperatures will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable, it is important you check in on them.”
Last year Britain saw the temperature rise to 40C (104F) for the first time ever.