London’s burning - 32C heatwave this weekend

London will bake in 32C temperatures this weekend, scorching parks and sparking health warnings.

The Met Office said temperatures would hit 31C (88F) in the capital and across the rest of the South-East today — London's hottest day of the year so far. The heatwave will continue until Monday, with the mercury forecast to hit 32C tomorrow.

Parks and open spaces were packed today as office workers enjoyed the sunshine in their breaks, while many have taken to wearing shorts to work to stay cool.

And there will be little relief tonight, with temperatures not expected to dip below 20C. "It's going to be a very uncomfortable and sticky night for London and the South-East," said Dave Britten of the Met Office.

The fears have led to the Met Office and the Department of Health jointly issuing a health alert. "It's really about making sure hospitals and emergency services are ready to cope with an influx," said Mr Britten. It is feared people won't be able to cool down while they're asleep, with babies, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions particularly at risk.

The NHS advises wearing loose cotton clothes, spraying or splashing the face and the back of the neck with cold water several times a day, and staying in the coolest rooms of the home as much as possible. Across the region tomorrow, there is a "reasonable" chance temperatures could reach 32C said Mr Britten. "They will start to drop on Sunday, returning to around 24C early next week."

London's parks have become arid tinderboxes, and firefighters are preparing for a surge in grass fires. Britain has experienced its driest six months in over 80 years. Hyde Park's usually lush grass has turned brown and lifeless. A Royal Parks spokesman said the grass was not being irrigated to save water. The heatwave is intensifying just as hosepipe and sprinkler bans come into force today for seven million people in the North-West.