The heatwave warning alert was raised from level two to level three today as Britain gets set for more baking temperatures.

The highest temperatures were due to be to the west of London today, where 31C or 32C (90F) were expected.

London will see temperatures of up to 33C (91F) by tomorrow.

For the full weather forecast click here

Eddy Carroll, chief forecaster at The Met Office, said temperatures were likely to peak today and tomorrow. Forecasters say it will become less hot by the weekend with storms and heavy rainfall moving in leaving it feeling fresher.

Level three means high temperatures are reached and sustained in one or more regions, with two consecutive very warm nights and a hot intervening day. The highest alert level is level four.

Those English regions affected by the heatwave and at level three include London and the South East.

The Met Office said a key factor had been night-time temperatures, with lows in some areas not falling below 18C (64F).

The heatwave was even having its effects on Shrewsbury Town players during their pre-season training.

The heatwave plan alert is in four stages, with green level one signalling “summer preparedness and long-term planning”. Level two is amber and signals “alert and readiness”, while three is red for “heatwave action”. Level four is classed as “red emergency”.

Wayne Elliott, head of health forecasting at the Met Office, said: “If possible stay out of the heat during the middle part of the day, cool yourself down, keep your environment cool and look out for others.”