Everything you need to know as heatwave continues

Extreme heat will carry on into Friday as the impact on communities in Northamptonshire continues.

The UK was expected to experience its hottest June night on record on Thursday, though temperatures are expected to drop slightly on Saturday.

However, the impact of the hot weather has already forced special safety measures and event cancellations in the county.

This is what you need to know.

It is the responsibility of the school or academy to declare closures.

However, a list of some full or partial closures to schools have been listed by West Northamptonshire Council and include Campion in Bugbrooke and Fairfields School in Northampton.

The Department for Education says there is no maximum temperature limit for schools, although proposals are being considered.

Pupils are being advised to bring extra water bottles, wear hats and sun cream and attend lessons in PE kit if more comfortable.

When speaking during a visit to a school in Corby on Thursday, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said there was "more to do" to improve the resilience of schools during hot weather.

She said: "It's down to individual head teachers to take decisions about safety and wellbeing of children - I know that's always their top priority.

"It can be a challenge for parents when schools close. We're working with schools to keep them open where we can."

Saturday's Armed Forces Day events in both Rushden and Northampton will still go ahead, but will be "modified", organisers said.

This included cancelling parades across both events.

Earlier this week North and West Northamptonshire Council postponed their respective full council meetings.

West Northamptonshire Council was due to meet on Thursday, with the meeting pushed back to 13 July.

North Northamptonshire Council's meeting, which was also set for Thursday, is now provisionally set for 16 July.

The Chester House Estate in Irchester said it would close to visitors again on Friday following the "exceptionally high temperatures".

West Northamptonshire Council said that while roads should cope through the heatwave, surface temperatures were expected to hit 60C (140F).

"We have arrangements for dust dressing roads which should help deal with some of this, but motorists might experience issues with melting tarmac," it added.

Motorists are asked to try and avoid journeys at peak temperatures an take extra care if they must drive somewhere.

It added that the high temperatures meant it may be too hazardous for some of its staff to carry out highways work - leading to planned works being postponed.

Severe weather emergency protocol, a safeguarding measure for rough sleepers, continues.

West Northamptonshire Council said that people who are sleeping rough in the area will be advised about accessing shelter during the daytime until 20:00 BST.

All of the libraries managed by the Reform UK-led council will also provide bottled water to rough sleepers during the heatwave.

Northamptonshire's local authorities said that residents struggling with the heat can attend a number of public and community buildings with air conditioning or fans, which can be accessed during opening hours.

A list of locations available, which includes leisure centres and libraries, is on each of the councils' websites.

Some sessions at council-run family hubs have been cancelled due to weather conditions, with those affected informed by email.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has renewed an appeal for people to not swim in open water in an attempt to cool off.

Rob Berwick, from the fire service, said: "It [open water] looks really inviting, it looks nice to go for a dip... but there are significant hidden dangers.

"We see that, especially for people jumping into the water, they can enter cold water shock. If you do, you could not be able to swim regardless of how strong a swimmer you think you are," he added.

Dr Jane Bethea, North Northamptonshire Council's director of public health, shared her concerns at reports that young people were swimming in dangerous areas of open water, after a number of fatalities during last month's extreme hot weather.

Risks of swimming in such conditions include cold water shock and unseen dangers such as strong currents or objects under the water that a swimmer could become tangled in, she added.

Both North and West Northamptonshire Councils said its waste and recycling crews would continue to start their rounds earlier during the hot weather, with residents advised to put their bins out the night before collection to avoid it being missed.

Normal shift patterns are expected to resume early next week when the weather cools.

Household waste recycling centres opening times will be limited on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 to13:00, "to maximise public safety, whilst the high temperatures make containers, ramps and railings hot to touch," the authorities added.

The revised opening times will be kept under review and may be extended if the extreme heat continues.

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