Today is officially the third hottest day on record in the UK after temperatures soared to 37.8C.

The mercury hit 37.8C (100F) at London’s Heathrow Airport at 2.41pm and also reached 37.3C (99.1F) at Kew Gardens, in west London, the Met Office said on Friday.

The current temperature record was registered at 38.7C (101.7F) at Cambridge University Botanic Gardens last year.

Meanwhile, the second hottest day was 10 August 2003, when the mercury rose to 38.5C (101.3F) in Faversham, Kent.

The country has enjoyed higher temperatures than many spots in Europe today, including Ibiza, Berlin and Lisbon.

But the heatwave has caused chaos in some areas, with authorities in Bournemouth and Brighton telling huge crowds of beachgoers to head home.

Brighton Council has asked anyone not already in the city to not come today, while police are reportedly preparing to block off roads in Bournemouth.

The Met Office earlier confirmed Friday to be the hottest day of the year, with temperatures hitting 36.8C around midday.

However, forecasters have warned that storms are on the way for much for England this afternoon.

This is a breaking news story – more follows.

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