Level three heat-health alerts are in place across the south

The Midlands and eastern parts of England where temperatures are soaring.

The Met Office is advising people to stay indoors over lunch and to drink plenty of fluid to cope with the heat.

Parents are also being encouraged to limit their children's exposure to the sun.

The heat-health alerts are expected to stay in place until next weekend.

Temperatures of 40C and 41C for the weekend are a low possibility, although not impossible.

Heatwaves are becoming more likely and more extreme because of climate change.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said it could be "the hottest day of the year so far" on Monday.