Sun shines on after June recorded as one of UK’s hottest, driest ever

The UK basked in one of its hottest and driest Junes ever, according to provisional figures.

It was the driest June on record in south-east and central southern England, with just 6% of expected rainfall across counties like Essex and Dorset, the Met Office said.

Scotland also enjoyed its highest ever temperature, with 33.2C recorded in Motherwell on June 28.

The sweltering spell has continued into July, with many parts enjoying temperatures around the mid-to-high 20s.

Tennis lovers looked set for plenty of action as Wimbledon began yesterday, with stars kicking the tournament off on sun-drenched courts.

Meanwhile, utility companies have been pumping billions of extra litres of water to try and keep pace with demand, which has risen by as much as 30%, Water UK said.

But there is no risk of drought, as above-average rainfall in the spring means water levels are in a healthy position, it added.

There are no restrictions in England, but Thames Water says it is funnelling an extra 450 million litres per day as it deals with “record levels” of demand.

The bookmakers Ladbrokes had the UK at 4/6 to see 35C during the week.

The heat is an example of “extra volatility” facing food producers, with some arable farmers seeing no recordable rainfall in a key month for their crops, the National Farmers’ Union said.

Council staff and social workers are making extra calls and visits on the vulnerable and elderly, who are more likely to struggle in the heat, the Local Government Association (LGA) said.

It is part of an “annual heatwave plan”, developed after more than 2,000 people died in England owing to extreme temperatures in 2003, it added.