An elderly lady was treated for heat exhaustion today after collapsing near NatWest in Rose Hill, Maidstone.

Fire crews were called at 3.15pm and provided oxygen until paramedics arrived.

Health bosses have issued advice on coping with the intense heat as the mercury hit 31 degrees.

Public Health England has issued a level 2 heatwave alert, which is in place until Friday.

It warns that heatwave conditions are likely, and urges people to take care in the sun and support those at risk from the ill effects of heat.

Dr Thom Waite, consultant in public health medicine, said: "It’s really important to remember that there are some people whose health suffers in hot weather.

"Older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children may all feel the ill-effects of heat over the coming days.

"We’re urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at-risk this summer."

The sunny weather is expected to last up until the Bank Holiday Weekend when, inevitably, it is expected to cool down a little.

Steve Willington, chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "The heat may lead to some thunderstorms developing later Wednesday and into Thursday with these spreading northeastwards across England.

"The southeast of England looks likely to hold on to the hot weather until Friday, while elsewhere, temperatures will return to near normal for August, with maximum in the low 20s Celsius."