PENGUINS at a North Yorkshire tourist attraction have been given eight tonnes of snow to cool off in the sweltering temperatures – but have refused to go near it.

Staff at Scarborough’s Sea Life Centre took the precaution as hot and humid weather swept the region, only for the Humboldt birds to become suspicious of the change in their routine and steer clear of the snow.

Sam I’Anson, the centre’s marketing co-ordinator, said: “We are hopeful they will get used to it soon. They come from Chile but have spent almost all their lives here so they are not used to it.”