James describing those out working amid yesterday's heat, which saw the mercury peak at 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, as heroic.

Workers stewed at their posts and children stayed home from school on Tuesday as a choking early-summer heatwave smothered much of western Europe.

The UK temperature record for June of 35.6C is forecast to be smashed this week, as schools close early and Brits are warned against all but essential travel ahead of the heatwave

Temperature on Tuesday hits high of 34.6C in Surrey, England, with heatwave forecast to get more intense on Wednesday and Thursday

James describing those out working amid yesterday's heat, which saw the mercury peak at 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, as heroic.