South East bakes as heat alert extended

Parts of the UK could see one of the hottest June days on record, with temperatures above 30C forecast in the heatwave, now in its fourth day.

An amber heat health alert in place for the South East has been extended until 09:00 BST on Wednesday.

The UKHSA said the hot weather was expected to have a significant impact on health and social care services.

Pond-dipping, a trip to the beach and lots of extra deodorant are among the ways people in the South East say they are coping with the heat.

At the Cavan Bakery in Hersham, Surrey, temperatures can hit 40C and head baker Ritchie Gray admits there is not "a great deal you can do".

He said: "We have a cooling system which keeps the temperature down a little bit, but apart from that it's just keeping yourself hydrated."

Mr Gray said when its quiet, they head into the shaping room where temperatures are a cooler 19C.

"That's the place to hang out if you're on the ovens most of the day," he added.

The Frensham Great Pond near Farnham is proving a popular way to cool off.

Emma Constable often starts her day by visiting the Green Flag Award winning site but say its especially important at the moment.

"I just find that having a dip, early in the morning about 07:30 (BST) keeps you cool through the day...it's good for your mental health as well," she said.

Tillie Dyer found the pond a "good few years ago" and had been for a visit on Monday.

She said: "I feel like when you just want a private area to just sit and chill it's definitely the place to visit."

When asked whether she thinks it will get busier as the day progresses, she said: "Hopefully not."

On the East Sussex coast, Eastbourne's Qualisea Fish Restaurant has enjoyed a booming weekend thanks to a combination of good weather and stellar sport.

Owner Katerina Tutt said: "We love this weather, it's great, it brings everybody out.

"I really want to shout out my staff; [because] it's very hot in there for us."

Kate Richards, from Hastings Adventure Golf, says punters have found a way around the scorching temperatures.

She said: "We are also open until 22:00, so we do get quite a lot of people who come down in the evenings."

Danny Macauley, who works in furniture removals in Maidstone, Kent, said his job can get "very sweaty".

He said: "I put lots of deodorant on, drink plenty of water and wear light clothing."

Bogdan Vasilev, a delivery driver in the town, believes there "should be more air conditioning in England".

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