Heat in Britain; officials warn citizens

That move was prompted by the heatwave of August 2003, in which 27,000 people died of heat-related causes in north-west Europe. At least 11,000 of them died in France, prompting accusations of apathy and incompetence against the government. At least 2,000 died in Britain, with 85% aged 75 or over.

Photo: Heat in Britain; officials warn citizens

The heatwave may have been welcomed by sunbathers - but elderly people, the young and those with chronic diseases have been warned by the government to avoid the sun, Guardian reports.

With a forecast of 34C (93F) predicted for tomorrow in the south-east, the DoH warned of "significant health risks", in the first guidance it has issued on a specific heatwave since drawing up a "heatwave health plan" two years ago.

By contrast, the north-west of England saw heavy rain and flash flooding, with several buildings hit by lightning. In Lancashire, torrential rain turned some roads to rivers. In Wigan, one house was known to have been struck by lightning and the town's fire service took 70 emergency 999 calls in just 30 minutes. Scotland also suffered heavy showers and thunderstorms and 27mm of rainfall was reported at Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire, BBC reports.