The TUC is urging employers to relax office dress codes and cool down their overheating offices, to make work more "bearable for staff" in the high temperatures. The current weather spell is the hottest since July 2006, with Tuesday the hottest of the year so far at 31.8C (89.2F).

The union believes that the best way for staff to keep cool inside during sweltering heat is for them to be able to wear less formal, more casual clothing, and come into work in short sleeves and shorts.

The TUC added that it would like to see the law changed so there is an absolute indoor maximum of 30˚C, with employers forced to introduce cooling measures when the outside temperature hits 24˚C.

Before everybody rushes out to buy shorts, the end is in sight as Britain's hottest week in years could end in a wash-out with some parts of the country at risk of flooding, forecasters warned.

I can see nothing wrong with the idea of short sleeved shirts, but should we really be turning up in the office dressed for a day at the beach?

On a similar note, spare a thought for people like the police who spend long hours outside in high temperatures. What message would it spell to the public if they started pounding the beat in shorts?

What are your views? Should we relax dress codes during hot spells or do you think it takes away the professional image?