Festival-goers at Glastonbury enjoy the sunshine, with temperatures set to soar in the next few days

A heatwave alert has been issued by the Met Office amid warnings of extreme temperatures over the next few days.

BBC Wales weather forecaster DEREK BROCKWAY said people should take precautions if out in the sun, as temperatures are expected to rise into the 80s Fahrenheit.

The highest temperature recorded so far in Wales this summer was 27 Celsius, 81 Fahrenheit at Rhyl, Denbighshire on 3 June, but that figure is going to be beaten this week.

Wales is in for a heatwave with temperatures rising into the high 20s Celsius.

I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere reached 30 Celsius, 86 Fahrenheit. It’s also going to be very sticky and the combination of heat and humidity will spark off a few heavy showers and thunderstorms. And the nights will be warm making it difficult to sleep.

The hot weather has prompted the Met Office to issue the first ‘heat health’ warning of the summer. Extreme heat can seriously damage your health and can be fatal.

The advice is to avoid dehydration and sun stroke by drinking plenty of water, use a high factor sun-cream and stay in the shade. Keep an eye on any elderly neighbours and relatives and never leave animals locked in the car.

If you don’t like it too hot, there are signs it will turn cooler and fresher next weekend with westerly winds from the Atlantic bringing a drop in temperature.

The last major heatwave to hit Britain was in 2003 when 2000 people died. A sweltering 39 Celsius was recorded in Brogdale in Kent on 10 August, a record high which still stands today.

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