WORKERS have been trying to keep their cool as temperatures rise in the city, with the heatwave expected to last at least until next week.

Extra breaks and plenty of water are some of the measures businesses have been adopting to ensure staff cope.

The four staff at the Golden Gourmet on Worcester's Upper Tything have been toiling in temperatures of more than 100F (38C) as they fry up fish and chips for hungry customers.

"I'm sure you can imagine it's really hot in here," said manager Paul Solomou.

"We have a big water machine at the back and we're just making sure we're drinking plenty of fluids, getting our heads down and getting on with it."

He said business had dropped slightly during the hot spell.

Elsewhere, the frozen foods manager at Sainsbury's in the Lychgate Shopping Centre has a slightly more enviable job - working in the store's freezer, where temperatures are as low as -23C (-44.7F).

"Ten months of the year it's a horrible job and two months of the year it's a great job," said store manager Colin Chance.

"It's not too bad in the store though as we have air conditioning, although we have to turn the lights off as the fridges have been struggling."

Malvern labourer Andrew Bayliss, from Somers Road, had a nightmare-two-day journey back from London in the baking heat.

The 22-year-old got stuck for 70 minutes on the London Underground on Monday, missing his connection home.

Andrew ended up having to stay at his girlfriend's house in Essex.

On restarting his journey on Tuesday, he experienced more delays, eventually reaching home seven hours later.

"There is nothing you can do about it really," he said. "Basically an hour delay is more frustrating - this was more deflating.

"There's not really any point in getting annoyed about it though."