Businesses across the wider central Somerset area are changing the way they work as the red heat warning brings temperatures expected to reach around 39C.

From extra parasols and cool water to rebooking elderly dogs and moving workers away from exposed sites, local firms are doing what they can to keep people and animals safe.

The warning has already affected schools, travel and public services, with Somerset Council urging residents to take care during the extreme heat. But for local businesses, the challenge is also practical: how do you keep trading, serving and caring when the weather is frankly doing its best impression of a pizza oven?

At The Loft Lounge & Bar in Street, owner director Mark Tobin said: "We've put up more parasols in the garden to try to create a cooler environment, and staff can dress down for comfort rather than wearing uniforms. I'm closing the kitchen from late evening tonight until Friday evening, although the bar will stay open. It'll just be me working, and I've given the rest of the team the day off.

"We're also keeping everyone hydrated with whatever soft drinks they want, and staff can take as many paid comfort and hydration breaks as they need to help them get through the heat.

"I'd love to hear what ideas other people have, because we just aren't built for this, are we?"

The garden at The Loft in Street (supplied)

For Nurture Pet Health, in Wells, the heatwave has brought an extra focus on paws, pets and temperature-sensitive medicines.

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Sasha Moore, from the veterinary hospital, said: "We've put extra carpet out to protect dogs' paws on the way into the practice, and we're calling clients with elderly dogs to discuss whether appointments should be delayed or rebooked.

"Medicines are being safely stored here, as we have air conditioning in the practice, but we're not posting medicines this week because they normally need to be kept below 25C.

"We're also encouraging owners to keep pets cool and have posted advice on heatstroke in pets on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We're lucky to have air conditioning in the Wells practice, so if you do need us, it is cool."

Keeping cool in a slightly unusual manner at Nurture Vets (NV)

At Christopher Young Opticians in Shepton Mallet, they're offering a cool stop-off to their clients in town.

Owner and optometrist Chris Young said: "The practice is air-conditioned and we have Glastonbury Spring Water on tap, so we emailed our clients to let them know they could pop in for a cool sanctuary and a drink of water if they had to be in town."

Christopher Young Opticians in Shepton Mallet (supplied)

Glastonbury-based building company Melhuish and Saunders is also working around the conditions, with office staff helped by air conditioning and site teams being moved where needed.

Lucy Mitchard said: "We're lucky to have air con in the office, so we're doing OK, and we're managing sites as best we can. Luckily, one of our current sites is All Saints Church in Clifton, which is lovely and cool inside. Another site is at the bottom of a quarry, so we've moved team members around so they don't have to face the extreme heat there.

"We've also delivered cold water to sites to make sure workers stay hydrated, but the key thing is not to put yourself at risk of heatstroke or exhaustion."

Cool drinks and old buildings for staff at Melhuish and Saunders (FB)

With the red heat warning in place and temperatures expected to reach around 39C, the message from businesses is simple: keep cool, keep hydrated and do not push through if the heat is becoming unsafe.

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