Amber health alert issued before further hot weather

An amber heat health alert has been issued for the South West as temperatures are expected to rise later this week.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said an amber warning would be in place from 09:00 BST on Wednesday until 21:00 on Sunday.

The alert comes weeks after record-breaking temperatures across the South West and the Channel Islands.

The UKHSA said there could be a rise in deaths as a result of temperatures, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions, and there might also be impacts on younger age groups.

It added there was likely to be increased demand on all health and social care services and water‑related incidents might increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning.

The forecast heatwave is unlikely to be as extreme as the one in late June when temperatures peaked at a record-breaking 37.7C, BBC Weather said.

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