Temperatures will reach record-breaking levels by the end of the week as the mercury tops 30C in many areas with the hottest day of the year likely.

Values will continue to rise in most parts of the country, reaching very hot levels across many areas in the south and Midlands by Saturday.

Blazing sunshine could sent temperatures soaring above Madrid, Istanbul and Athens and it could be well into next week before it starts to cool down.

Highs this week should comfortably outstrip the 29.1C recorded at St James Park in London on April 19.

Overnight values should also remain in the mid teens C for many places when the sun goes down.

Some light cloud is possible in the north and west slightly reducing temperatures, while anyone wanting to escape the searing heat should head to the east coast where it will be cooler.

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said: “Dominant high pressure over the north-west of Europe will result in a very warm week.

“There will be lengthy spells of sunshine for the British Isles but it will be hazier with high-level cloud for Ireland.

“Temperatures are expected to lift around 1C per day - peaking across Ireland on Friday when June records could be broken. Saturday will be the warmest day for central and southern parts of the UK.”

However, some changes could be on the way for early July. ​​Pressure is likely to ease through France and Spain eventually leading to a risk of some thundery showers in southern areas of Britain.

The heat may spark a few showers or an isolated thunderstorm during the first week of the ​new month, while cloud could also edge across north-western parts of the country with the threat of changeable weather sweeping in from the Atlantic.

But the majority of the UK will stay fine and warm.

Later in ​July, computer models are indicating more periods of warm weather but there may be isolated periods of rain almost anywhere in the country.

But these will be brief with many places still bathed in warm and dry weather for long periods.