For most, they are the festive period's centrepiece - but the perfect Christmas tree may little more than a pipe dream this year, as the hottest summer on record has scorched crops. Politics
The mercury is set to rise in the coming days, with temperatures expected to peak at 19C in several regions, such as the East of England and the Midlands, on Thursday Politics
The mercury peaked at almost 30C on October 1, 2011, the warmest temperature ever recorded in the UK in October - part of that year's sizzling Indian Summer - and it's getting hotter this year Politics
The latest weather maps show that parts of the UK are likely to experience a sudden switch in the weather with temperatures set to soar to 22C in the coming days Politics
Spain experienced 33 days of officially declared heatwaves over summer Events
This summer was the UK's hottest on record, with four separate heatwaves and endless hours of sunshine. Experts have now calculated how many people died thanks to climate change. Events
Wales has just seen its hottest summer on record and this is what it means for you Events
Japan has experienced its hottest summer since records began in 1898 Sport
