AS temperatures soared into the high 80s across Craven this week four-year-old Smith Middleton found the perfect antidote - a cooling shower in the garden.

Hundreds of other families splashed around in the cool waters of Ingleton's outdoor pool.

Supervisor Frances Parker said she had never known it so busy, and with a pool capacity of 50, a timing system had to be put in place to give everyone a turn.

Approximately 200 waited for their chance to cool off in the pool on Wednesday afternoon.

Scenes were much the same at Bolton Abbey where families from across the county basked in the sunshine and cooled off in the river.

Visitor manager Moira Smith said footfall was up on the same week last year but the whole place had a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.

She said the banks of the river were filled with visitors sunbathing, picnicing and paddling in the water.

Skipton Tourist Information centre staff have been kept on their toes all week with hoards of visitors inquiring about places to eat outside, places to take their children and where to stay.

Manager Sue Swales said that almost 600 people visited the centre on Monday - she would usually expect about 400 - and on Saturday there were 750 customers.

Staff spent hours ringing local bed and breakfasts trying to find room for tourists who had enjoyed their day-trip on Saturday and wanted to stay over night.

By the end of the day the town's hotels were bursting at the seams.

"Everyone is in great spirits because of the weather," said Mrs Swales.

Weather watcher Ian Cuthbert of Kettlewell, who reports to the Met Office, said that in July there had been about 65mm of rainfall and so far in August just 0.4mm.