BROMSGROVE sizzled on the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 34°C in places today.

Both A&E departments at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch saw a rise in patient numbers as the heat exacerbated existing health problems like asthma.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service reported a 63 per cent increase in the number of calls relating to breathing difficulties this Tuesday compared to last.

As of 3pm today 200 calls were received compared to 123 calls as of 3pm last Tuesday.

Overall the number of calls to the service increased by 24 per cent from 1,607 last Tuesday to 1,995 on the same day this week.

West Mercia Police officers also had to respond to reports that people were leaving dogs in cars, issuing a blunt animal welfare warning: "Don't cook your dog!"

The Met Office declared a level 3 heatwave alert and emergency services issued warnings for residents to stay indoors for the hottest part of the day.

Due to extreme temperatures, all Worcestershire road surface dressing schemes have been postponed until further notice.

How did you spend the hottest day of 2016? Send your photos of you enjoying (or not enjoying) the heat to emily.collis@newsquest.co.uk.