Thousands of schools have shut across Britain as the country deals with an extreme heatwave that has brought its hottest June day on record.

Schools and nurseries have either closed or partially closed, with some bringing in early finishing times or relaxed uniform rules. 

Many pupils are set to receive work digitally, while some schools have offered provision for those who cannot stay at home.

Despite the closures, parents were urged to send children in if theirs remained open. Fundraisers have also been started to help raise money to buy portable air-conditioning units, fans and playground gazebos.

More than 11,500 people have signed an online petition calling for a maximum temperature at which schools can legally remain open.

Bryony Gordon writes in today's Mail that her 'phone is red hot with messages from frustrated friends, whose working weeks have been suddenly upended' because of the closures.

But what do you think – should schools close during the heatwave? Vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll here:

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Ed Miliband be Britain's next Chancellor?' Out of more than 9,000 votes, 97 per cent of you said 'no' and 3 per cent said 'yes'.