The alert means there is a 90 per cent chance the maximum threshold temperature for the region - 30C (86F) in the east, 32C (89.6F) for London and 31C (87.8F) for the south east - will also be met on Wednesday.

A level two alert has been issued for the East Midlands - meaning there is a 60 per cent chance the maximum threshold temperature of 30C (86F) could be met.

The heat prompted health experts to urge people to take extra care, with temperatures tipped to rise even further after highs of 31C on Tuesday caused by "warm air pushing up from the continent".

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]