Sunseekers have been flocking to beaches to soak up the sun as a high of of 31.6C (88.9F) was recorded at Heathrow in London.

Forecasters predict the hot spell of weather will last for much of the week ahead.

Public health authorities issued a call for people to keep an eye on anyone at risk from high temperatures, including older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children.

The Met Office forecast a warm night for many parts of the UK, with sunny spells continuing on Monday, particularly in the south of England.

“Dry, very warm or hot” conditions are expected to last into the week, with isolated heavy showers possible, though with cloudier and cooler periods in the north and along the east coast.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “We are expecting temperatures to continue on the high side right through until Thursday, although the day-to-day detail will change and there is a tendency for the highest maximum temperatures to migrate west.

“So, we are expecting Monday and Tuesday for the maximum temperatures to be in the south-west and in south Wales, and then later in the week temperatures climbing across Northern Ireland and the north-west.”