UK weather: 36.4C recorded on hottest August day for 17 years

Expert warns of health implications of climate emergency as Britons flock to beaches

As people flock to beaches and parks this weekend after the hottest August day in 17 years, a leading health expert has warned that such heatwaves will become more regular - and highly dangerous - if nothing is done to curtail the climate emergency.

Temperatures reached 36.4C (97.5F) in Heathrow and Kew Gardens on Friday, the highest on any day in this month since 2003, the Met Office said. The hot weather in some parts of the country is expected to give way to thunderstorms early next week.