Kent is set to bask in what could be the hottest day of the year so far as the mercury is expected to soar.

Temperatures are predicted to possibly hit 33C in England this afternoon amid a heatwave blasting the nation.

Russell Robson from the Environment Agency says we need to use water wisely

The heatwave will continue into next week, with temperatures set to soar above 32C on Tuesday, potentially making it the warmest day of the year so far.

The Met Office predicts there will be highs of 31C in Gravesend, 30C in Rochester and Maidstone, and 29C in Sittingbourne.

Meanwhile, there is expected to be highs of 29C in Canterbury, 28C in Tunbridge Wells, 27C in Ashford, 24C in Sandwich, 21C in Ramsgate.

The UK’s record high for 2022 currently stands at 32.7C, recorded at Heathrow on June 17.

People have been urged to look out for the elderly and vulnerable after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office increased a Level 2 alert to Level 3 for the south east, London and east of England.

Both alert levels are currently in place from 9am today until 9am on Friday.

Level 3 means you should look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions and curtains should be closed on rooms that face the sun.

Advice on how to reduce the risk can be obtained from the Heatwave Plan for England page online, from your doctor or local chemist, or ring NHS 111.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst told the PA news agency: "High pressure is going to dominate tomorrow, with lots of sunshine, particularly in England and Wales.

"In Scotland and Northern Ireland it will be somewhat hazy at times with thick cloud moving in from the north-west, possibly bringing some rain at times.

"But for most of us it will be a dry and sunny day, well into the high 20s from the morning, with central, southern and eastern parts of England to possibly see maximum highs of 33C.

"So it’s very possible tomorrow will be the hottest day of the year so far, it will certainly be on par with the existing record, maybe more.

"It will also be very warm overnight going into Tuesday, remaining in the low 20s in cities, so many may experience an uncomfortable night."

A heat-health alert has been issued for some parts of the UK this week, with those in affected areas advised to shade or cover windows and check on the vulnerable and the elderly.

The hot spell looks set to subside later in the week, when a cold front is expected to start pushing in.

However, Mr Dewhurst said temperatures will remain in the mid-to-high 20s until the end of the week.

For many, the heat weather is bearable thanks to being in air-conditioned offices but for those not sat under an icy blast, when does it become too hot to be at work?

Antonio Fletcher, of Whitehead Monckton solicitors in Maidstone, said: "There is no fixed temperature as such so there is no magic number, however, when it comes to people working, employers are obliged to keep a comfortable temperature for their employees.

"Now, what comfortable means will vary from person-to-person and place-to-place and environment to environment, so that is its own set of problems.

"Any employer will have to look after the health and safety of employees, now if an environment is getting too hot to the extent that it does endanger the health and safety there will be liabilities on the part of the employer

"That responsibility extends to all employees but in particular there will certainly be categories of people that it will be more relevant to. So that will include pregnant employees, people with underlying health conditions for example.

"And, there the responsibility the employer has will be greater and there will be more emphasis on them to take appropriate precautions and put steps in place to allow them to work safely as well as comfortably."