Forecasters predicting a temperature spike of more than 30C have triggered a heat health alert covering Kent.

The government is warning the warm weather could impact public health, leading to more demand for services and an increased risk of death among the vulnerable.

The UK Health Security Agency issued the alert, which came into force at 1am today and ends at 9am tomorrow.

Its website states: “Minor impacts are probable across the health and social care sector, including an increased use of healthcare services by the vulnerable population, an increase in risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.”

The weather health alerting system is intended to provide early warning to the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.

As summer reaches its final days, Kent residents are in for a glorious bout of warm weather today.

According to the Met Office, temperatures could reach 30C in places like Chatham, Gravesend, Canterbury, Sittingbourne and Dartford.

And for those thinking of heading to the coast, the mercury will hike to similar figures.

Forecasters predict it could hit a scorching 31C in Sheerness, 30C in Herne Bay, 29C in Whitstable and Margate, 28C in Dungeness and Dover, and 27C in Folkestone.