AUTHORITIES have warned that the current hot spell will continue through the coming week – with a warning over 'extreme heat'.

The Met Office says hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night.

It has offered advice to residents.

As well as Thurrock, the amber warning affects Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend and Suffolk . The alert runs from 11pm on Tuesday, 23 June to 11pm on the following Thursday (25 Jun).

The Met Office says:-

• Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life
• Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
• Failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment is likely, with the probable loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services
• Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents
• Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays