Hannah Fox from Shrewsbury enjoys studying in the the July sunshine

Temperatures in Britain could be soaring towards the hottest day of the year today, but weather experts are warning that the sizzling highs could turn into a wash-out as parts of the country were put on flood alert.

County temperatures could reach a high of 29C (84F) today, while temperatures soared beyond 30C (86F) in parts of Surrey yesterday.

But the muggy weather could turn into torrential thunderstorms in Shropshire.

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The Environment Agency has issued a warning of flash floods in south Wales and south west England.

John Warner, Shropshire Star weatherman, said the hot temperatures of the last week would be making way for some fresher weather after today.

He said: “Storms will be moving away by about midnight tonight and fresher air will be coming in overnight and tomorrow.

“It won’t feel as warm as recently, with temperatures reaching about 23C (73F).”

The showery theme looks set to continue into the weekend with temperatures only getting to about 19C (66F) county-wide.

Tony Conran, forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, said: “There remains a possibility for the hottest day of the year today, but for other parts there could be floods.”

And an Environment Agency spokesman said: “The EA is warning homeowners, businesses and drivers in south west England and South Wales heavy, thundery rain could lead to flash flooding, particularly from surface water drains and small watercourses.”

The current spell is the hottest since July 2006, with yesterday the hottest day of the year so far at 31.8C (89.2F).

The weather is also alleged to have claimed the lives of two German Shepherd police dogs which died after being left in a car by their handler. They were found dead in a police car outside Nottinghamshire’s force headquarters in Arnold yesterday.

And a 17-year-old boy died while swimming in a reservoir, near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, yesterday afternoon.

The hot weather was also blamed for five tonnes of horse manure bursting into flames in a field off the A51 near the Muller roundabout in Market Drayton, early today.

Mark Smith, from Market Drayton fire station, said: “It does produce heat as it’s rotting down and if it reaches a certain temperature it can burst into flames.”