The UK has had its hottest day of the year for the third day in a row.

A high of 32.7C (90.9F) has been recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk, with the temperature expected to climb later on.

That beat the peak on Thursday when 29.5C (85.1F) was recorded at Northolt in west London.

Warm temperatures to plunge in hours – UK weather live

At Heathrow and Kew Gardens the temperature was recorded at 32.4C (90.3F), while at St James Park it was 32.3C (90.1F)

Weather experts expect the temperature to continue to climb, with 34C (93.2F) forecast in some parts.

On Thursday, the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office issued a level 3 heat health alert for London, the east of England and the southeast.

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That followed the level 2 alert issued on Tuesday.

A heatwave can be declared when the temperature is above a certain threshold (28C/82F in London) for three consecutive days.

While England and Wales will bask in the heat on Friday, it will be cooler in Northern Ireland and Scotland, which will both have rain.

Britons have been flocking in their thousands to parks and beaches during the warm spell, partly driven by hot air from Spain and Portugal.

Both countries have had temperatures of 40C (104F).

Read more:
Tips for staying cool – including a Royal Navy trick

Friday will bring no let-up for most of the UK, and for the first time in its history Royal Ascot is allowing men to remove their ties.

Men attending the prestigious event are nearly always expected to wear full morning suits – with top hats, waistcoats and ties – but a spokesman said: “Racegoers will be expected to arrive compliant but can remove jackets and ties as the day goes on due to the high temperatures.”

Some have attributed the extreme heat to climate change.

Temperatures will be cooler over the weekend, with rain and thunderstorm forecast on Sunday.

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