Record heat on way this month

THE heatwave has meant Britain has been hotter than Spain and forecasters believe this month may bring record temperatures.

Marbella in Spain and Faro in Portugal reached 25C (77F) on Thursday, but Porthmadog in North West Wales recorded 33C.

This week will be slightly cooler but is expected to be followed by more heat.

Martin Bowles, of the Met Office, said parts of UK next week may beat the hottest temperature ever recorded, of 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.

He told the Mirror: “It could be a record summer and has the potential to reach the highest ever recorded. There are signals for some persistent hot weather later in July. It could even be too hot to sunbathe.”

UK Water has estimated the water companies are pumping out an extra five billion litres a day to cope with demand.

But Paul Hickey, of the Environment Agency, said: “There is enough water for companies to maintain supplies if water resources are managed properly. It is always helpful, in terms of supplies, for everyone to follow advice on saving water.”