Health alert as hot weather expected over the weekend

There are warnings that high humidity and a lack of breeze – even at night – could make life difficult for elderly and young people and those with underlying health problems.

Motoring organisations have also warned drivers to give their vehicles a health check as breakdowns are likely to soar.

Temperatures recorded yesterday afternoon placed Norwich as the hottest place in Britain, with 30C (86F) recorded at its weather station.

Just behind was Writtle, in Essex, at 29.7C (85.5F).

Temperatures may go even higher across East Anglia and south-east England today but health experts say it is not the hot sunshine during the day that people need to be wary of, but night-time temperatures of at least 20C (68F).

However it won't be hot everywhere, as cloud and some rain are expected over northern regions of the UK. In Yorkshire it will be warm at 22-25C (72-77F), but the north-west of England will be cooler spots with temperatures only reaching the high teens and low 20s.

The head of health forecasting at the Met Office, Wayne Elliott, said: "While there is the possibility of daytime temperatures reaching trigger thresholds, it is the night time values which are of real concern.

"High humidity and the lack of any breeze could make matters worse for people with underlying health problems."

The Met Office's heat warning is level two on its four level warning scale.

It relates to how likely temperatures will exceed "threshold" levels that trigger health concerns – typically 30C during the day and 15C at night.

The NHS advises to keep cool by wearing loose cotton clothes, spraying or splashing faces and the backs of necks with cold water several times a day and staying in the coolest rooms of the home as much as possible.

Windows should be kept closed when the room is cooler than it is

outside.

Age UK charity director Michelle Mitchell asked people with an older relative or neighbour to check that they were coping with the heatwave.

"Our bodies are less able to cope with hot weather as we get older so it is extremely important that older people take sensible precautions during a heatwave," she said.