Today is also a record-breaking third consecutive day of red extreme heat warnings and follows spectacular lightning displays as thunderstorms hit the UK overnight.

With temperatures reaching new highs in the UK for the month of June, many people turn to rivers and reservoirs to cool down.

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

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

A high of 40C is forecast in the southeast of England on Friday

The 36. 9C record temperature was chalked in Wattisham, Suffolk, in southeast England, the meteorologists said, breaking the previous high of 36. 7C set on Thursday.