Hot dogs can thank scorching summer sun for being allowed inside a popular cave complex for the first time in 100 years.

Dogs were banned from Dan Yr Ogof caves before the First World War because of the risk of getting lost in more than 10 miles of tunnels.

But with soaring temperatures outside, bosses at the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, in the Swansea Valley, have relaxed the rules.

It means canine curiosity can be satisfied for the first time in a century, provided they venture inside on a lead and with doggy bags.

Ashford Price, chairman of the privately-run cave complex, said the change applies not only to pet dogs but other animals as well.

A local farmer's Dartmoor lambs were among the first to benefit, spending a night in the cool after wilting in the fierce summer sun.

"Temperatures outside have been around the 30C mark for several days, but in the caves it remains at 10C. A whopping 20C difference," Mr Price said.

"Tourists nowadays take their pets with them on holiday, hence, it would not be fair to ask them to leave their pet in the car whilst they went in to the caves.

"We are insisting that dogs are on a lead in the caves, and that doggy bags are also taken in, just in case of accidents."

He added: "It is not only dogs that have been taken in to the caves in the recent hot weather. One child took in her pet hamsters, while another tourist carried her cats around in a basket."

He explained: "We have never allowed dogs in to the caves as with over 10 miles of cave passages it would be no easy task to find a missing pooch.

"I don't think cave rescue would appreciate being called out for a missing poodle."

He said that when temperatures drop back to normal levels the no dogs rule will come back into effect.

"So if any dog has always wanted to see inside a cave - it's now or never." Mr Price said.