THE Met Office issued a rare red weather warning this week as temperatures could reach 38°C to 40°C in parts of England and Wales.

An area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham will be covered by the red alert from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm Thursday.

Forecasters warn that conditions will pose a risk to life and cause “population-wide health impacts,” with “substantial changes” to working practices and daily routines required.

High humidity and warm nights will hinder overnight recovery. There is also a risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems, travel disruptions and increased water safety incidents.

Denis Fernando, of Friends of the Earth, said: “Extreme heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more severe as climate change intensifies.

“We can’t cool the planet with sunscreen. Ministers must urgently strengthen the UK’s deficient climate adaptation plans and better protect those most at risk.”

Claire Hopkins, of St Mungo’s homeless charity, warned that soaring temperatures “can be deadly for those who are sleeping rough,” urging people to offer water or sunscreen to rough sleepers and contact Streetlink for local support.