Keep those T-shirts on! Alert over hole in ozone above UK

GLORIOUS bank holiday sunshine will bring thousands out to beaches and parks across the country this weekend.

But even if we are dying to slip into our shorts and bask in the sun’s rays, we are being warned to wear hats, wraparound sunglasses and trousers instead.

Health officials say people should stay out of their bikinis and leave their tops on, as Britain faces what could be the second hottest May day since the Second World War.

This is because a hole in the ozone layer – which protects us from the sun’s strongest radiation – has settled over the UK, letting in extra UV rays and raising the risk of burning. This happens occasionally in the spring, when pockets of low ozone air break away from the North Pole, driven by the sun.

A Met Office warning has been followed by detailed advice from Public Health England (PHE), which says people should avoid being outside for too long.

Professor John O’Hagan, head of PHE’s centre for radiation, chemical and environmental hazards, said: ‘If we continue to have clear skies, wearing a bikini or taking your top off over the bank holiday will increase your risk of sunburn.’

He said those lying in the park would burn more quickly, adding: ‘We advise people to wear wraparound sunglasses because, with normal ones, the sun can get in at the side and burn the front surface of the eye. If people are wearing a T-shirt, they should check that they cannot see through it when holding it up the light. A close-weave cotton is best. A hat, which also protects the neck, is a good idea.’

Officials are concerned that, because it is rarely this hot in May, people will not get the sun cream out as they would in summer and advise that we apply at least factor 15.

A plume of warm continental air could make temperatures hit 28C (82F) in the south of England today, while it could reach 29C (84F) in the north and Scotland. If temperatures top 30C, it would be the highest in May since a record-breaking 32.8C (91F) was logged in 1944.

Supermarkets are braced for a shopping frenzy this weekend, with Marks & Spencer expecting sales of sausages and burgers to soar 56 per cent on last year.

Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said: ‘It is going to be very warm and muggy on Saturday with showers in the north although there will be fair amounts of clear, bright weather around.’