The heatwave sparked chaos at this year's 'World worm-charming championships' as the competitors only managed to catch a single worm.
The contestants were given two-metre square plots of grass and used their usual mix of tricks to tempt worms to the surface including watering, dancing, drumming and even playing the didgeridoo.
However, a lack of moisture, caused by the high temperatures, made the soil hard and dry with only a solitary worm 'charmed'.
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The worm-charming contest, which dates back to 1980, took place in the Dracaena Centre in Falmouth in Cornwall.
Contestants had half an hour – and were not allowed to dig or use any mechanical tools – to coax the wriggly creatures to the surface.
The worms normally come to the surface in response to rain – when they feel tapping on the ground or vibrations.
Participants use different techniques, like vibrating the ground by sticking implements into it, playing music, or patting the soil.
Prizes are awarded for the single heaviest specimen and the largest quantity of worms.
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After the competition, all the worms are released into the wild.
The winning team 'The Charmed Ones' – Myra, Cassius and Abbie – found one worm.
The record of worm charming was set in 2009 with the quantity of 567 worms.
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