by Adam Blakeman

WHILE most of the human population is sizzling under the sun, members of the animal kingdom are embracing the warm weather.

Sales of dog ice cream are rocketing at one shop as pet owners do their best to keep their furry friends cool.

Dogs are lining up outside Doggie Fashion, at Trentham Gardens, waiting for their ice cream fix, with the shop's chocolate chip flavour proving a particular favourite.

Shop co-owner Kerry Wilson said: "The ice cream is made for dogs and it's going down a storm at the moment.

"We're making as much as we can to make sure no dogs miss out, with our dog chocolate chip flavour proving to be a particular favourite at the moment.

"Everyone loves an ice cream on a sunny day and our dogs appear to be no different."

Helen Hinchliffe treated her two German Shepherds, Max and Paddy, to some chocolate chip ice cream.

The 46-year-old, who lives in Stone, said: "The dogs loved the ice cream and ate it in no time. I think it definitely helped to keep them cool in this hot weather."

Down the road at Trentham's Monkey Forest, the 140-odd Barbary Macques have been basking in the sunshine.

The monkeys are native to Morocco, meaning they are in their element in the current heatwave.

Manager Matt Lovatt said: "The monkeys are really enjoying the warm weather and there's lots of sunbathing and grooming going on among the pack.

"We are trying to feed them with food which is rich in moisture, like melons and grapes.

"They are feeling right at home and we're hoping the weather gets hotter for them."

Nantwich outdoor pool has seen an influx of visitors as the weather gets hotter.

Up to 800 people have been visiting the attraction on peak days.

Jon Winkle, marketing manager, said: "We've had more than 7,000 visitors to the pool in the last month and we're expecting more as the weather gets hotter."

Temperatures peaked at around 27°C yesterday in Stoke-on-Trent, making the Potteries as hot as Zante in Greece, Malaga in Spain and Tenerife, despite thunder and showers late in the afternoon.

And forecasters are predicting possible highs of up to 30°C over the next few days.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "The next couple of days will see a lot of sun, with temperatures possibly reaching 30°C across the Stoke-on-Trent area.

"There will, however, be the possibility of some showers and thunder storms mixed in with it.

"As we head towards the weekend temperatures will start to cool down and there will be showers, but it will remain very humid. Next week temperatures will return to normal for this time of year."

Related links:

Send us pictures of you making the most of the weather

Five-day weather forecast

Keep cool and safe when temperatures hot up

Joan Walley MP: Weather Predictions

Story filed in: Trentham Gardens | Trentham | News