Heat And Wildfire Warnings As Temperatures Set To Reach 30C

Temperatures across Sussex are expected to reach around 30 degrees today as another spell of hot weather gets underway.

An amber heat-health alert is in place across England, with the warning running until Friday evening.

Temperatures could reach 37C on Thursday in some parts of the region.

The whole of the South East has also been officially placed in drought, with concerns continuing over water supplies and the risk of wildfires.

In Hastings, the council has temporarily switched off the Breeds Place and Millstone fountains, saying the amount of water they use becomes a concern during periods of extreme heat.

Meanwhile, South East Water has apologised to 39 properties in Ulcombe, Kent, where supplies remain disrupted.

A red fire alert is in place across parts of East and West Sussex and Surrey.

The National Fire Chiefs Council says firefighters have dealt with 966 wildfires across England and Wales so far this year.

That includes 185 in the first ten days of August alone.

July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, with 458 incidents recorded.

Fire crews from Surrey and West Sussex have also been helping Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service tackle a fire in the New Forest.

The blaze started after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday.

People across Sussex are being urged to take extra care during the hot and dry conditions and follow local advice around fire risks.