UK set for warmest June day in decades

Today the heatwave will hit its peak and is likely to smash a few records as temperatures sizzle across the southern half of Britain on the longest day of the year.

Not only is it set to be the warmest day of the year - but the hottest June day since 1976 and the hottest ever summer solstice.

The current record is 31.7C recorded in 1936 at Camden Square Garden.

But with forecasters predicting a blistering 34C on the first day of summer (astronomically speaking) today will go down in the history books.

Although the heatwave has brought excitement for many we have seen very high levels of UV bringing the risk of skin damage.

Somerset is feeling the heat and eager Glastonbury Festival goers have already started to arrive with fans at the ready as they battle the heatwave.

Yesterday race goers at Royal Ascot took shade under parasols, and no doubt today they'll be doing the same under the blistering sunshine.

The weather is set to cool down and in the north its already started to breakdown with the arrival of heavy showers today.

These are likely to turn into torrential thundery downpours, which has led the Met Office to issue a Yellow Warning across the Midlands, Northern England, Northeast Wales and Southern Scotland.

Tomorrow is looking generally cooler but still warm in some parts of the south with heavy showers merging into longer spells of rain pushing eastwards across southern counties.