A heatwave is due to hit London for the start of school summer holidays this week, with temperatures soaring and widespread balmy conditions.

Despite the high temperatures the sweltering spell could bring some disruption from heavy thundery downpours, according to the Met Office.

Temperatures will increase as the week progresses, according to forecasters, reaching highs of 33C on Tuesday, 34C on Wednesday and 35C on Thursday.

For the majority of the UK, the mercury needs to hit 25C for three consecutive days to be classed as a heatwave.

But this threshold increases the further south east in the country, with temperatures in London needing to reach 27C.

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The maximum temperature recorded in July is 36.7C, on the first day of the month in 2015 at Heathrow.

Looking ahead to next weekend, the Met Office expects temperatures to fall.

"There's some uncertainty though on just how long the heatwave conditions will last for," the forecaster said.

"It looks most likely that, at least by Saturday, most areas will see a bit of a drop in temperatures.

"There's still a lot of sunshine around for the weekend and temperatures probably look to be not quite as hot, but with a summery feel staying for the weekend."