Get set to fry on Friday, hottest day so far

FIRE up the BBQ and stock- pile the suncream as Britons prepare to bask in the hottest day of the year on Friday.

Temperatures are set to reach 34C (93F) this weekend with forecasters issuing a rare ‘heat-health’ warning for much of central and southern England on Friday and Saturday.

Experts have urged Britons to look out for signs of heat exhaustion ahead of the ‘level 2’ alert, which means there is a 60 per cent chance of a heatwave.

The Met Office’s Dan Rudman said: ‘ Temperatures will continue to rise as we go through the week, becoming well above average by Friday when many parts of the southern half of the UK are likely to exceed 30C (86F) and may even reach 34C (93F) in some places.

‘This is the first spell of hot weather this year and it is unusual for temperature to exceed these values in June.’

Dr Agostinho Moreira de Sousa, of the UK Health Security Agency, added: ‘During periods of hot weather it is especially important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable, such as older people and those with heart or lung conditions. Make sure to look out for signs of heat exhaustion and follow our simple health advice.’

The heatwave could also spell trouble for ice cream sellers amid a national shortage of Cadbury Flakes. Mondelez, Cadbury’s parent company, said it was experiencing ‘global supply chain disruptions’.