People across Medway have been making the most of the hot weather this week as temperatures soared.

The outdoor pool at the Strand opened for extra days to allow people to cool off as temperatures hit 30C - and will be open from 11am until 5pm today.

Temperatures in Medway reached 29C on Saturday, 31C on Sunday, 32C on Monday and 30C on Tuesday.

The high temperatures continued yesterday, making it the first five-day heatwave in Britain since 1995.

On Monday, it was the third consecutive day the heat reached 30C across the country, the first time since 2005.

The Met Office issued a level three amber heatwave warning, one behind a national emergency, from 9am on Monday until 9am today.

The warning came as temperatures were expected to remain above 31C in the daytime and above 18C at night.

Medway Council has been warning residents to take sensible precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

Director of public health James Williams said: “I cannot stress enough how we all need to remain hydrated. We need to check on elderly people, young children and those with long term chronic health conditions. If we look after ourselves and each other, we can enjoy the sunshine safely.”

The Strand is open every weekend from 11am until 5pm, and will open daily from Monday, July 24.

For more pictures, see today's Medway Messenger.