July

1 July

Sun-worshippers flock to Brighton beach in 31C sunshine. During the heatwave temperatures soar to levels not reached since the summer of 1976, hitting 35C at its peak.

2 July

British divers discover 12 Thai boys and their football coach, missing for nine days after becoming trapped by rising floodwater in the Tham Luang cave system.

3 July

England wins a World Cup penalty shoot-out for the first time in history, beating Colombia 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals.

4 July

New Yorkers celebrate Independence Day with their customary exuberance.

5 July

As the National Health Service turns 70, a huge demonstration calls for additional funding.

6 July

The Cabinet meets at Chequers in Buckinghamshire to reach a ‘collective’ agreement about the UK’S future relationship with the EU post-brexit.

7 July

England manager Gareth Southgate roars his delight after England beats Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

8 July

Dawn Sturgess, 44, dies in Salisbury after being exposed to Novichok – she dabbed it on her wrists believing it to be perfume.

9 July

David Davis resigns as Brexit Secretary following the Chequers meeting, forcing Theresa May to reshuffle her Cabinet.

10 July

The RAF centenary is marked by a service in Westminster Abbey, followed by a flypast over Buckingham Palace.

23.6 million tuned in to watch the game on ITV