County all set to sizzle

Shropshire was today due to sizzle in scorching temperatures as the country prepared for a mini heatwave.

The mercury was expected to hit 30C (86F) by Wednesday as health officials issued a heat warning for the week to advise people on staying cool.

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said: "Today we should get 27C (81F) perhaps, then 29C (84F) tomorrow and perhaps 30C (86F) on Wednesday. The average for June is about 18C (64F)."

• For our seven-day weather forecast click here

He said the temperature was higher than normal because of a south-east wind bringing hot air from the continent.

But he also warned the muggy weather would also lead to thundery showers breaking out.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust has issued "top tips" for keeping cool on its website.

They include keeping out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, walking in the shade, wearing light loose-fitting cotton clothes, avoiding extreme physical exertion and having plenty of cold drinks, but avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

The trust is warning the heat is especially dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has put the odds of the mercury rising above the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK today at 7/1.

Thermometers reached 38.5C (101.3F) in Kent in 2003. Ladbrokes is offering 8/1 that Wales beats its top temperature of 35.2C (95F).