Holidaymakers and residents in Dorset are set to bask in a heatwave in the coming days.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: "As we head into next week temperatures will increase daily across much of England and Wales as hot air is drawn up from France and Spain.

"Temperatures could reach 34c by Wednesday in parts of central, southern or eastern areas and heatwave thresholds are likely to be reached in some places."

After an unsettled weekend of showers and thunderstorms, temperatures are set to rise from Monday.

If temperatures stay high in the same spots for three consecutive days, the Met Office deems it a heatwave.

A Met Office spokesman added: "Monday will be wet and windy across northwestern parts of the UK, elsewhere there will be one or two showers but temperatures will be rising - we're looking at highs of 29C (84.2).

"On Tuesday the rain and strong winds in the North West will have eased and it will turn drier, elsewhere there should be lots of sunshine with highs of 33C (91.4F) or higher."

London and the South East have the greatest chance of getting to 33C (91.4F), he said.

Wednesday could reach 34C (93.2F) in the East and South East - equalling this year's record high which was set at Heathrow and Northolt on June 29.

The hottest July day on record is 36.7C (98F) - a record which looks unlikely to be beaten next week.