Temperatures are set to soar up to 32C this weekend as people are urged to stay safe in the heat.

Forecasters believe Sunday could be the hottest day of the year – and that this could be the warmest weekend so far.

A health alert has been issued in England with high temperatures predicted to be “widespread across the bulk of Britain” from the end of the week and through the weekend.

Saturday is predicted to be very warm as the heat builds through the weekend with long spells of sunshine for most of the UK.

And it will be “even hotter on Sunday”, with temperatures from the Vale of York to Cardiff and parts of East Anglia set to be “widely 30plus”.

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“31C, 32C wouldn’t be out of the question as well”, said Met Office meteorologist, Aidan McGivern.

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He said Sunday would be “A hot day, the hottest day of the year so far, the hottest weekend of the year so far.”

And the long spells of sunshine could bring a high sunburn and pollen risk, the forecaster added.

Will Lang, head of civil contingencies at the Met Office, added: “Across most parts of the UK we’re expecting to see temperatures building, reaching heatwave thresholds across the majority of England over the weekend.

“High temperatures will remain a feature of the forecast until Tuesday, when fresher conditions arrive curtailing heatwave levels.”

Public Health England has warned people to take extra precautions to keep cool and hydrated – and support those who may be more vulnerable in the searing heat.

The alert, which covers England – excluding parts of the North East, North West and London – is due to last until Tuesday.

PHE scientific and technical lead, Dr Owen Landeg, said much of the advice on coping in the sweltering heat is “common sense”.

But he warned how the warmer conditions can bring “real health risks” for older people, children and those with underlying health conditions.

The hottest day of the year so far was 14 June when temperatures hit 29.7C (85.46F) at Bushy Park in London.