The Met Office has warned healthcare services will be under increased demand over the next seven days as parts of the country are set to fry in 32C heat.

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Officials also warned vulnerable people – like the very old and young – could be at increased risk of dying as both indoors and outdoors becomes “very warm”.

The yellow alert has been issued across London, the South East, South West, East of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “While the highest temperatures are expected in the south, heatwave conditions are likely across much of England and Wales especially, with parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland also likely to see some unseasonably high temperatures.”

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey added: “The last time we hit 30C in the UK was on July 7 so almost two months ago and 32C was all the way back to the end June.

“It is a late dose of summer but unfortunately not everyone might be able to make the most of it with school activities.

Jonathan warned of the health risks to the vulnerable, stressing the temperatures will be 10C above average for September.

He urged people to stay hydrated and use sunscreen, with UV levels being moderate to high.

“It does bring health risks to people who are vulnerable,” he added.

Forecasters are predicting the mercury to rise to 30C on Tuesday, in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Bristol Channel.

But parts of the country are set to fry further on Wednesday and Thursday with highs of 32C, in Berkshire and southern areas of the Midlands.

Yellow alerts are issued during periods of heat or cold which are “likely to impact most people but could impact those who are particularly vulnerable”.