Scorching hot temperatures are set to brace the county this week as the Met Office predicts a heatwave.

For there to officially be a heatwave in Kent the temperature must be above 27 degrees for three consecutive days.

The forecast predicts temperatures to enter the thirties by Wednesday or Thursday as trapped air enters the Kent coast from the continent.

The hottest day of the year could be recorded several times over as the mercury climbs towards 34 degrees by Thursday.

However, the record for the hottest June day ever looks set to remain in tact, as temperatures will not quite reach the 35.6c seen in 1976.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said a heatwave is likely to hit the county his week as temperatures climb "day-by-day".

He said: "So there is going to be a lot of hot and sunny weather across Kent as we go through this week.

"But it is through Wednesday and Thursday, that's when we are likely to see temperatures getting into the low thirties.

"It is likely to be a heatwave – it will be the hottest days of the year so far."

To put that into context he said it was going to be "exceptionally hot" for this time of year, adding "it is not every year in June that we get these high temperatures".

But the heatwave may not be here to stay.

It is likely we will see a breakdown heading into the weekend, Mr Burkill said.

He says it was "not all plain sailing" as we can also expect to see some thunderstorms by the end of the week.

The seasonal hot weather also comes with a warning, he adds, as the warm weather is likely to last into the night with temperatures still in the twenties and make for uncomfortable sleep.

There will also be high pollen levels for hayfever sufferers and very high UV will mean those exposed to the sun will need to slap on plenty of sunscreen.

"The advice is if you can enjoy the hot weather safely then that is fine," he said. "But people need to take into account that social distancing is important."

If you are going to be out in the sun for long periods of time there is the risk of heatstroke.

He advised people to find cool places to shade and to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

A heat health warning has been announced for the county as Kent County Council issues advice to help vulnerable residents stay safe and well.

The level two alert has been triggered by a Met Office forecast which means many people who are at higher risk of ill health due to the hot weather are also at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

KCC director for public health, Andrew Scott-Clark, said: “Weather like this is something many people look forward to every year and go out and enjoy but it’s worth remembering that sunny spells can pose health risks for some.

"As many people are still restricted on when and how they leave their homes, it’s important to protect yourself from too much sun or heat such as ensuring your home is cool and to carry water when travelling, queuing for shops etc.

"Again we appeal to Kent residents to look after young children or older people, who may feel the heat more acutely than others.”

Read More: All the latest news from Kent