BRITS have today been issued with a sunburn warning as Britain faces its highest ever UV levels due to the lack of pollution from planes.

Ultra-violet rays are expected to reach level 9 across parts of Devon and Cornwall.

It comes after Britain recorded its hottest day of the year yesterday – with today expected to again see mercury rise to record-breaking temperatures.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that UV levels will be "reaching eight across many places and will be reaching nine across parts of Devon and Cornwall" today.

He said: "That's about as high as it gets really in the UK. The sun is as strong as it gets at the moment because we're so close to the solstice.

"We've got peak sun strength, clear skies, plenty of sunshine – they're the perfect ingredients for high UV."

The Met Office's UV index rarely exceeds 8 – with 11 considered extreme.

By the time the UV index reaches 9, Brits can burn in just 15 minutes.

And it is believed that the drop in air pollution due to flights being cancelled during the coronavirus crisis could have caused today's dangerous UV levels.

Today has seen a dry and sunny morning already with temperatures already in the low 20s for most of England and Wales by 8am.

The Met Office yesterday confirmed Heathrow had reached a scorching 32.6C while Cardiff Bute Park hit 30C.

The UK's all time June maximum temperature is 35.6C which was recorded in 1976.

STAY SAFE

Today's weather will see most areas hot and sunny before thunderstorms are expected to hit parts of northern and western Scotland.

The thunderstorms are then expected to more to the far southwest of England before spreading to the south of England overnight.

But Brits made sure to make the most of the weather yesterday as beaches were willed with sunbathers wanted to take advantage of the good weather after the months of lockdown spent at home.

And shoppers have also been warned they could be forced to spend extra time in the sun as a result of social-distancing measures.

Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director at St John Ambulance, said: "You could end up in the sun for longer than expected on what would normally be a quick journey, such as queuing to enter the supermarket, so you should be prepared to look after yourself and others."

She added: "Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two of the most serious problems that can develop when the mercury soars but by being prepared you can spot the early warning signs, such as headache and dizziness."

London Fire Brigade has warned people not to have barbecues on dry grass, not to drop cigarettes or matches, and not to leave rubbish such as glass bottles lying around as they could start fires.

Brits have also been warned not to leave bottles of hand sanitiser in hot cars as they could catch fire.

The NHS has told staff to remove all bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitiser from their cars.

The warm weather can cause the alcohol in the hand sanitiser to evaporate, with flammable vapours being released.

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