Sussex sweltered in the baking heat yesterday on the hottest day recorded in July.

The all-time record British temperature was broken when thermometers hit 36.3C (97.3F) just after 2.30pm at a weather station near Gatwick.

The previous record of 36C (96.8F) had been in place since 1911.

Thousands heading for the coast in the hope of cooler conditions found little relief, with a thermometer on George Street, Hove, registering a blistering 36C at 2pm.

Schools were forced to close amid fears the heat could prove too much for pupils and roads turned to liquid tar.

Seafront businesses did a roaring trade as sun worshipper sought the shade but children were disappointed when the paddling pool next to the West Pier was forced to close after its filters became blocked with sand.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it would reopen today.

The dogs at the RSPCA's animal shelter in Patcham were luckier and managed to take a cooling dip in the pools laid on for them by kennel staff.

Manager Jenny Wells said: "Everyone is very hot here but we're doing our best to keep the animals cool. A few of them are splashing about in the pool with their toys but some aren't so keen on the water so we've been giving them biscuits dipped in ice.

"We walked the dogs about eight this morning and will walk them again when it gets cooler later. We're keeping a close eye out for any sign of dehydration and have put sun-cream on the white cats with white ears who are at risk of burning."

Ambulances were on standby to treat heat-related casualties but the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton said A&E "had not experienced much increase in demand".

With the heatwave sparking fears for the safety of the elderly and vulnerable, Age Concern in Eastbourne warned its clients to stay out of the sun and keep drinking water.

Graham Rutland, manager of Age Concern's centre in Junction Road, said: "We're keeping an eye out for the more frail people that use our services and, where possible, advising people to stay at home and keep as cool as possible."

TV presenter Michael Aspel visited Sussex and headed for the coldest spot in the county a chilly -20C.

The host of the Antiques Roadshow spent the day at Wakehurst Place in Ardingly, where an edition of the BBC programme was being filmed.

The 72-year-old cooled off deep in the vaults of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.

Meanwhile factory workers at Shoreham assembly plant BOC Edwards were getting hot under collar after management reprimanded employees wearing singlet vests.

One worker, who did not want to be named, said: "We're working 11-hour shifts in temperatures of about 29C. The vacuum pumps we work next to give off quite a lot of heat. It's pretty unbearable."

BOC spokesman Andrew Davis said: "This is a manufacturing environment and we want people to dress appropriately to make sure they are properly protected.

"We issue polo shirts which are lightweight and protect the upper part of the chest and upper arms. In our opinion, singlets don't provide adequate protection."

Roads in the west of the county melted, with gritters called to North Bersted Street, Bognor; Halnaker Crossroads, near Chichester, and Toddington Lane, Littlehampton.

In East Sussex, four schools closed: Marshlands in Hailsham and St Leonards Church of England Primary, Hollington Primary and Torfield schools in Hastings.

In West Sussex, pupils at Michael Ayres Junior School in Bognor were told to stay at home amidst fears temperatures could top 100F.

A spokeswoman said: "The school is a Sixties building, all windows, and the design means the temperature will be well over what the forecasters say."

All schools in Brighton and Hove remained open.

Children at Cardinal Newman in Hove enjoyed a dress-down day after the school relaxed its dress code following protests earlier this week.

Pupils had demanded the right to wear shorts in the hot conditions.

End-of-term sports days fell victim to the weather, with Hertford Infants in Brighton and Harlands Primary in Uckfield both cancelling events.

But it was business as usual at Knockhatch Ski and Snowboard Centre in Hailsham.

Instructor Matt Harrison said: "It's been really good fun. I had one kid ask me as he flew down the slope, 'Is this real snow?'. 'Not today', I told him."

Manager Steve Jaggers said: "It's not the ideal day for skiing but we've had few cancellations. It's hot work out there but we're making sure everyone takes a drink every ten minutes."

Wardens at Tilgate Nature Centre in Crawley slapped suncream on their pigs as the heat threatened to turn them into roast pork, while in Rottingdean, the fish struggled to survive.

Ward councillor Lynda Hyde waded into the village pond in her wellies in an attempt to rescue those struggling in the fast-disappearing water.

She said: "There are dead fish all around the edge. I am disgusted they are being allowed to die."

The Environment Agency said it had advised the council not to top up the pond because it was "not sustainable".

A spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately there is a serious drought on and we are urging people to use water sensibly to help protect our environment."

As free suncream was handed out to tourists in Brighton and Hove, Hastings was celebrating record sales of its own-brand lotion. The Hastings Information Centre has sold almost 100 bottles of Harbour Arm in the last seven days.

Local firm IT&C, based at Ponswood Industrial Estate, St Leonards, manufactures Harbour Arm and the proceeds go to the Skin Cancer Research Foundation.