Seven heat-related deaths in France as May records set in several countries

Extreme early summer event across western Europe also brings highest temperatures for month in UK and Ireland

Seven people have died in France in an extreme early summer heat event affecting a swathe of western Europe, with record high temperatures for May recorded for a second day in several countries.

In France, which logged its hottest ever May day on Monday and again on Tuesday, the weather agency Meteo France said the heatwave could last through the week and predicted temperatures could reach 39C in some areas.