THE hot picture we published recently of three girls cooling off in the waters of Droitwich Lido in the summer of 1976 certainly brought back memories, most of them fond, for our readers.

The three month heatwave from June to August led to the hottest summer average temperature in the UK since records began. For 15 consecutive days from June 23 to July 7 temperatures reached 32.2 degrees centigrade (90 °F) somewhere in England and on five days temperatures exceeded 35 degrees centigrade (95 °F).

At the same time, the country suffered a severe drought and hosepipe bans and other water saving measures were introduced as supplies began to dry up. Swimming pools, lidos and even rivers and ponds became the places to go to escape the heat.

Reader Mark Willmott recalled: "The Lawns Hotel at Kempsey also had a lido in those days and our family used it when I was a young lad. Nursing home built over it now.The long hot summer was great."

It was a sentiment echoed by John Webb, who wrote: "I was 10 in '76 and remember the summer well. It seemed to go on forever and all the grown ups could talk about was hosepipe bans and the grass dying. Meanwhile for us kids the summer just went on and on and we had a whale of a time. Although if it happened again I would probably moan about the grass and hosepipe bans too."

Inevitably the popularity of the swimming pools led to problems. Sally Williams said: " I tried getting into the Droitwich Lido on a hot day and spent three hours in a queue. Be prepared if you go on a hot day to stand outside with a towel over your head to keep cool."

Rather more amusingly Maxine Shellam wrote: "I was born in '76 and apparently my big brother tried to fill my pram from his paddling pool as he thought I would like to cool off too! I was about three months old and I don't think my mum was best pleased."

Stephen Norris added: "I clearly remember the heatwave in 1976 because I started my first job at Strensham service station on the M5 for £16 a week." While Tina Kennard recalled: "I spent the whole school holidays that summer in Skegness . Was brilliant."

One unexpected by-product of the heat was a plague of ladybirds. Liz de Oliveira said: "I remember the swarms of ladybirds that started to bite" and Sue Longley added: "I was doing my mock O Levels at school and all I remember is ladybirds. Millions of them."

For expectant mothers it wasn't much fun either. Julie Lewis wrote: "I carried my son all through that baking hot summer until the day he was born and the heavens opened up with the biggest thunderstorm ever! Those were the days." And Lilian Sherwood said: "I was heavily pregnant and walking up to St George's School twice a day in the heat was a killer."

Eventually, of course, it all came to an end. Trish Adams wrote: "I got married in August 1976. The day the heavens opened. I blame it on the African rain dancers. Still happily married . Looking forward to celebrating our Ruby anniversary."

And finally Brian Webb contributed: "I cannot believe I migrated to Australia in 1975 and missed this. On returning in 1977 everyone said: 'Boy you missed a hot one!' "