Amber heat-health alerts issued for most of England as temperatures could reach 36C or higher this week – latest updates

The upgraded alerts will be in place from 9am on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday

England had just 7% of the long-term average rainfall for July and southern England just 1%, damaging greenery in parks, protected land and sports fields.

The dry spell has also led to shrinking rivers and lakes: the Thames at Reading has recorded its lowest ever level.