The Met Office has warned that "exceptionally warm" temperatures are expected to continue through the middle of the week. #EuropeNews

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

Temperature of 35.7C recorded in Surrey, beating previous record of 35.6C, while France records hottest day nationally

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

A temperature of 36.1C at Gosport in Hampshire was recorded on Wednesday