Red weather warning issued by Met Office as temperatures forecast to reach 40C

A red weather warning has been issued by the Met Office as temperatures are predicted to top 40C in parts of the country.

In Newark, Bingham, Balderton and Southwell the mercury is expected to rise to 34C on Monday. It will be marginally cooler in Ollerton at 33C.

On Tuesday temperatures will rise again to 37C in Newark, Ollerton and Balderton and 38C in Bingham and Southwell.

The Met Office is warning of adverse health effects that could lead to serious illness or danger to life.

A rare level four warning of a national emergency has also been issued by the Met Office, which is the forecaster's highest alert.

This is reached when "a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system".

The forecaster warns, at this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups.

It recommends changes to work practices and daily routines, suggesting people only travel if necessary.

The amber alert remains in place until Sunday, then it switches to the red alert from midnight on Monday to 11.59pm on Tuesday.

Under the red warning, there is considered to be a high risk of serious illness and danger to life - which is not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat.

Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only and to seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.

There is a "high risk" of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to power cuts and loss of other essential services, such as water or mobile phone services.

Delays on roads and road closures are predicted with people trying to head to the coast and rivers, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with "significant welfare issues" for those who experience even moderate delays.

It was initially expected that the unusually hot weather England and some parts of Wales are currently experiencing would peak this Sunday and temperatures would then drop considerably after Monday.

But forecasters at the Met Office altered their predictions warning this week's heatwave is expected to continue past the weekend.

While many have been enjoying the unusually prolonged spell of good weather, a lengthy stretch of above-average temperatures is not without its problems.

People have been urged to look out for the elderly and vulnerable after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) expressed concerns.

The hottest day in the UK currently on record is 38.7C recorded in Cambridge on July 25, 2019.