Medway is basking in the best weather of the year with families cooling off at places like the Strand, pictured.

July is set to begin as June ended with more wall-to-wall sunshine after a cloudy start this morning.

It won't get quite as hot as yesterday with temperatures in Chatham predicted to peak in the mid 70s later this afternoon.

The scorching weather is likely to continue throughout the week, peaking on Thursday. It will feel blisteringly hot but will still be a long way off the Kent - and British - record of 38.5 degrees at Faversham in 2003.

John Hammond, forecaster at the Met Office, said: "Western parts of the county in particular up towards the Thames Estuary could see the highest temperatures, getting towards 30, 31, or 32 (degrees Celsius) on Thursday. That is certainly the warmest temperatures since the hot weather of 2006.

"The coasts will be a bit cooler and towards the east coast in particular we will see a bit of low cloud at times."

Although the hot weather may be good news for some, it is not for all. If the temperatures remain abnormally high for more than a couple of days it can prove fatal.

The Met Office have put in place a heatwave warning and is working in conjunction with The Department of Health and the NHS to ensure the vulnerable and elderly are protected.

NHS advice for staying safe in the heat:

• Don'tgo out in the hottest part of the day (11am – 3pm);
• Avoid strenuous activity;
• If you have to go out stay in the shade as much as possible;
• Drink regularly, even if you are not thirsty;
• Wear a hat and loose fitting clothing;
• Close the curtains in rooms which get a lot of sun;
• Avoid coffee, tea and alcohol as they can dehydrate;
• Apply sun cream.