The Met Office has issued an amber "heat health watch warning" as temperatures refuse to cool.

This week is going to be a hot one with some parts of the UK hitting a scorching 34C, which would be the hottest day so far this year.

The heatwave warning urges people to either stay out of the sun or avoid being in the sun when it is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm.

The amber, or level three, warning is issued when temperatures are predicted to hit 30 degrees during the day, and 15 degrees at night, for at least two consecutive days, the Met Office said.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: "It does look likely it will be at least 33C at some point this week, most likely on Wednesday or Thursday, in the south east and east, London, Essex, Kent, east Anglia and into Lincolnshire - and that would make it the hottest day we have had so far."

The current heatwave could go on for many more weeks, meaning the usually luscious grass will continue to get drier.

Forecasters said there is a chance of hitting 34C or 35C (95F), which could put Britons in line for the hottest day since the mercury hit 34.5C (94.1F) at Heathrow on June 21 last year.

The hottest July day on record is 36.7C (98F), which was reached at Heathrow on July 1 2015.

The hot weather will lead to thunderstorms and it "could all happen on the same day", Mr Burkill added.

He said: "The heat and humidity means there is a lot of energy in the air and a high risk of intense thunderstorms. Whether or not it will happen is where the uncertainty is."

Please be careful when dropping cigarette butts and holding barbecues in parks, as there has been a rise in grass fires due to the dry conditions.