The majority of snakes are active during the day, their energy increasing with the increasing temperature; whilst some delight in the moist sweltering heat of dense tropical vegetation, others expose themselves to the fiercest rays of the midday sun.

When summer arrives, the season is dictated by little more than sweltering heat and the desire to stay as cool as possible.

During World War II, however, when soldiers found themselves working hard in sweltering climates, it became common to use them solely as outerwear.

Slaving away in a hot kitchen is the last thing you want to do when the sky is blue and temperatures hit sweltering levels, so cool summer recipes are the way to go.

They may not enjoy the popularity or versatility of the always-fabulous Little Black Dress, but white dresses definitely have their time and place during the sweltering summer months.