Health alerts issued in 32C South East heat

Many parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey had their hottest day of the year on Friday

Officials across the South East have issued health warnings as the region basked in hot weather.

Temperatures reached 32C (89.6F) in Wisley, Surrey. It was the hottest day of the year across much of Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

The UK Health Security Agency issued a level three alert for the South East earlier in the week.

NHS officials warned of "serious health risks" and advised the vulnerable to "take extra care".

Agostinho Sousa of the UK Health Security Agency said: "The level three alert is to help protect the NHS. It is operational and called 'heatwave action'.

"It is to inform our partners that they should prepare their services for possible increases in demand due to increases in temperatures."

Analysis

Sara Thornton, senior BBC weather presenter

There has been record breaking heat across parts of western Europe this week, including a temperature of 43C (109.4F) in Seville on Wednesday and a temperature of 40C (104F) in southern France yesterday - that is the earliest in the year on record that France has ever hit 40 degrees.

That heat is drifting northwards to us and we're expecting temperatures in the low thirties today.

It will be a particularly warm night tonight and another hot day tomorrow before thunderstorms wipe the heat away on Sunday.

Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council director for public health, said: "It's worth remembering that sunny spells and high temperatures can pose serious health risks for some.

"It's important to protect yourself from too much sun or heat, to carry water when travelling, and it's equally vital that you look after young children or older people, who may feel the heat more acutely than others."

• Tips for sleeping in hot weather

• What do heatwaves do to the body?

• Advice for keeping you and your pets cool

Dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the main concerns, according to NHS officials in Sussex.

A spokesperson for Sussex NHS said: "We are reminding people to take extra care of themselves and check in with their loved ones while out enjoying the hot weather this week."

Families cool down at the Strand open air pool in Gillingham

Nikki Sansom and Ted took a swim off Seaford beach to stay cool

Reg the Welsh terrier cross enjoyed a special canine ice lolly in Maidstone

Surrey County Council has advised its residents to stay hydrated with water, avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day and wear sun cream and reapply throughout the day.

Network Rail warned services may experience delays and disruption because of the heat, which can cause overhead wires to sag and the steel rails to buckle, and advised passengers to check before they travel.

Britain's highest recorded June UK temperature was 35.6C (96F) in Southampton in 1976 - the year of a summer heatwave.

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