Supermarket freezers break and schools shut as heat takes hold

Freezers at a supermarket have broken down and more than a dozen schools have been closed as Suffolk continues to contend with the sweltering heat.

This week's heatwave is set to peak on Friday, with temperatures predicted to hit highs of 38°C across the county, according to the Met Office.

Suffolk is under an extreme heat amber warning until 23:59 BST, while parts of the East of England have been issued with a rare red warning by the UK Health Security Agency.

From social care services and infrastructure to bin collections and libraries, here is how the county continues to be affected by the extreme weather conditions.

Throughout Suffolk, a number of schools will either be closed entirely, shut earlier than usual, or run remote lessons so students can remain at home but still learn.

The schools that will be closed are:

• Bardwell Church of England Primary School
• Castle EAST
• Cavendish Church of England Primary School
• Cedarwood Primary School
• Crawford's Church of England Primary School
• Elveden Church of England Primary Academy
• Forest Academy
• Great Barton Church of England Primary Academy
• Hopton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
• Ixworth Church of England Primary School
• Ixworth High School
• Sidegate Primary School (because of a fire on Wednesday)
• St Edmundsbury Church of England Primary Academy
• Stone Lodge Academy
• Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy

Students at Cavendish Church of England Primary School, Hopton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School and Ixworth Church of England Primary School are expected to continue learning remotely.

Crawford's Church of England Primary School has provided its pupils with work on paper to complete at home.

Students at Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge will finish learning at 13:00, however, the school will remain open until the normal end of day to accommodate students who will be unable to leave early.

Similarly, East Bergholt High School has offered parents, guardians and carers the option to pick up students at 13:15 rather than the usual 15:35.

If you're hoping to get some respite from the sweltering heat by venturing to a supermarket to pick up some nice, cold ice creams to cool you down, Asda, in Ipswich, might not be your best bet.

On Thursday, customers at the superstore, on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate, were told that all of its freezers and some of its fridges had broken down.

The BBC was told that repairs were expected to take place on Saturday afternoon.

Train services across the region are once again expected to face potential disruption.

On Thursday, Greater Anglia trains between London Liverpool Street and Ipswich experienced minor delays due to the severe weather.

Two services were cancelled, while additional stops were added to three other services.

Network Rail has said that any passengers travelling to, from or within the red and amber weather warning areas should "only travel if absolutely necessary".

"Trains will run but significant disruption is expected, with speed restrictions, amended timetables and a higher risk of delays and cancellations," it said.

"Passengers can use tickets for 23 June to 26 June on any day up to 30 June at no extra cost, or travel earlier the same day (before 12:00) within your ticket restrictions.

"If you choose not to travel, you can get a full refund within 28 days, while season ticket holders should follow their usual Delay Repay process."

On the roads, meanwhile, there could be some disruption on the A143, after reports on Wednesday that the tarmac was melting between Stanton and Ixworth.

The A140 between Brockford and Eye was also reported to be having a similar issue on Thursday.

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Ipswich Hospital, said it was "following all our internal processes to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe".

It said it had brought in additional cooling equipment and mobile air conditioning in clinical areas without fixed units, and was keeping patients cool with extra drinks and ice lollies.

Following the repair of a mobile scanner that was out of service on Wednesday evening, it also confirmed that all MRI machines in its main hospital buildings were now fully operational.

West Suffolk Hospital said it, too, was taking "precautions to maintain safe care and conditions" for patients, visitors and staff during this period of hot weather.

On Wednesday, it had to postpone two planned elective procedures due to warm theatre conditions, but assured the public it was "monitoring the situation closely" and would act where necessary.

It also confirmed that it was monitoring the room temperature of its three MRI machines (two at West Suffolk Hospital and one at Newmarket Community Hospital's Community Diagnostic Centre), which all remain operational.

The National Trust has said Ickworth House, Melford Hall and Lavenham Guildhall will be closed on Friday, while Sutton Hoo and Flatford will experience restricted entry due to the heatwave.

Needham Market Library will also be closed all day on Friday, while several others will shut earlier than planned to ensure staff and visitor safety in the heat.

These are:

• Brandon Library, which will close at 14:00 on Friday
• Hadleigh Library, which will close at 13:00 on Friday
• Haverhill Library, which will be closed between 13:00-14:00 on Saturday
• Rosehill Library, which will close at 13:00 on Friday
• Sudbury Library, which will close at 12:00 on Friday

Due to the extreme heat, all recycling centres in Suffolk will be closing early at 12:00, "to help protect the safety and wellbeing of both our staff and visitors".

If you have a booking for Friday afternoon, it can be rescheduled via the Suffolk Recycles website.

West Suffolk Council, meanwhile, has said bin collections will begin at 05:30 BST on Friday.

Emergency services have also issued a number of warnings to the public in light of the hot weather, not least about the importance of being safe around water.

The Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said while there may be a "temptation" to jump into open waters to cool down, doing so could "turn deadly in seconds".

"Even on a scorching hot day, British waters remain dangerously cold," a spokesperson said.

"This triggers cold water shock - an involuntary gasp for air that causes immediate water inhalation, rapid hyperventilation, and sudden muscle failure, regardless of how strong a swimmer you are.

"Enjoy the sunshine, but please respect the water. Let's look out for one another and prevent a similar tragedy on our shores."

This need to be responsible around water was echoed by the East of England Ambulance Service.

"Never swim alone and always choose locations with lifeguards or a responsible water watcher," it added.

"Don't dive or jump straight into open water. Even on hot days, cold water shock can be fatal.

"Always supervise children closely. Drowning can happen quickly and silently."

And the RNLI highlighted that as "temperatures rise, the risk of drowning increases".

The West Suffolk Network of St John Ambulance Volunteers, meanwhile, issued a warning about the risks of being exposed to too much heat.

"Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can come on quickly, especially when you're out in the sun, exercising, or not drinking enough water," it said.

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