The 50-year record was broken this afternoon in Charlwood, Surrey, when the mercury surpassed the 35.6C set in 1976.

Highs of 38C have been forecast for Wednesday and Thursday in London by the national weather service - breaking June's highest ever recorded temperature.

The record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C was set in 1976 in Southampton

The Met Office has issued a rare ‘red warning’ for temperatures which are expected to reach 39C

A 69-year-old benchmark falls as temperatures surge across southern England