Record heat: Wildfires rage across the UK

Several wildfires have broken out across parts of England, as a result of the exceptional heat.

A combination of intense high temperatures, low dew points and a strong breeze has been the cause of wildfires erupting across multiple areas, spanning from south-east England to northern England.

Common causes that initially spark these fires include discarded cigarettes and matches, or littered glass such as bottles, which can magnify the sun's rays.

Even the smallest of sparks can produce widespread, devastating fires, with the dry ground very quickly catching. The breeze then fans the flames, with wind speeds of up to 30mph in parts.

Houses have been burnt to the ground today, and as the heat becomes concentrated to the East Midlands, London and the East of England, an extreme risk of fire continues.

On top of that, even though temperatures will be coming down a notch tomorrow as fresher air moves in from the west, further fires could be ignited by lightning.

Thundery showers and thunderstorms are expected to spread up from the south-west overnight and into tomorrow, with these high-based storms increasing the likelihood of more frequent lightning strikes, alongside gusty winds.