With the temperatures in Worcestershire hotter than many Mediterranean resorts it's more than just people who are having to adapt to the sizzling weather.

Latabe, an African elephant, had to be hosed down with water at West Midland Safari Park, near Bewdley.

But she was of the few animals there feeling the heat. Head warden Bob Lawrence said: "We don't have animals such as polar bears and penguins, our animals are from places such as India and Africa and are quite happy with

this hot weather."

Meanwhile, Craig Walsh, who breeds pigs, rearing them outdoors for the luxury meat market at Lucies Farm, Colletts Green, had a novel way of keeping them happy.

"I have taken them in their pool for a swim this morning and they love it," he said. Pigs have a novel way of shielding themselves from the sun.

"They roll around in the mud and the caked on mud acts as a barrier against the sun, because they can get sunburnt."