Wonder never ceases... sun shines on Glastonbury and rest of sweltering UK

Headline act Stevie Wonder took centre stage as 140,000 people at the site in Somerset spent their final evening enjoying acts before heading home.

Festival organiser Michael Eavis said the event had once again proved a big success. "This is the hottest Glastonbury ever.

"I hope not too hot. But getting nice weather makes such a big difference," he said.

Festival-goers yesterday had the choice of watching England's dismal football defeat on big screens or enjoying music filled with crunching guitars from former Guns n' Roses axeman Slash.

Former Kinks star Ray Davies also got the crowd singing with his jaunty pop classics.

By lunchtime yesterday there had been 345 reported crimes on site – down from 363 last year. There had been 112 arrests. The medical team treated 2,955 people – most for sun stroke.

Temperatures topped 31C (88F) yesterday in Gravesend, Kent, making it the hottest day of the year. London and the South-East of England saw the warmest weather, beating temperatures in a number of Mediterranean resorts. In Yorkshire, the hottest spot was Leconfield in North Yorkshire which saw the mercury reach 28C (82F).

Sunshine dominated across Britain but a westerly wind kept temperatures down in western parts of England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland experienced showers.

The sweltering conditions prompted bookmakers to cut the odds of a record-breaking summer. Forecasters expect the warm spell to end today in Yorkshire with thundery showers spreading across the region.

Temperatures are expected to stay at the average for the week.