The recent blazing temperatures welcomed by the UK are set to linger into the start of the school summer break, weather experts have said.

Yesterday saw the hottest day of the year so far with the mercury peaking at 31.9C (89.4F) in Southampton - making it the hottest July day since 2006.

The hot spell of weather will last into next weekend when many primary and secondary schools will have finished for the year and the six-week summer holiday will stretch ahead.

Today temperatures will dip slightly but are still likely to top 30C (86F) in England and Wales, particularly in the south.

The rest of the week will stay roam between the mid to high 20s, with the exception of Wednesday which is another contender for the hottest day of the year when temperatures could reach 32C (89.6F).

"Today is going to be another hot day, not quite as hot yesterday but a few places will see 30C," said Gareth Harvey, forecaster for the MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.

"There will be a bit of cloud across eastern areas and a few sharp showers in the south-east but it will still be very pleasant.

"It will be cooler in Northern Ireland and Scotland, where it only reached 24C (75.2F) yesterday.

"It's going to stay hot throughout the week, particularly Wednesday, and into next weekend.

"There's a small hint that things could begin change beyond that but we can't be sure yet."

But the merciless heat prompted warnings from health authorities urging the public to take care in the potentially "dangerous" heatwave conditions.

Retailers and supermarket giants reported booming sales figures as the soaring heat saw shoppers spend thousands on the high street and in an online blitz on barbecues, food, sunscreen and garden furniture.

Asda said sales of barbecues soared - 204% in the last two weeks, plus charcoal and fuel up 176%.

The supermarket also said shoppers were keen to cool off with paddling pool sales up 446% and sales of garden furniture blossoming 44% as Britons dine al fresco.

Burger sales were expected to rocket 300%, with sales of ribs increasing by 200%.

Last weekend alone Asda sold three million sausages and 1.4 million burgers, which when stacked on top of each other would cover the length of the London Marathon (26.3 miles).

Tesco predicted it would sell nine million sausages this weekend and sales of its summer fruits soared.

Many shoppers avoiding stressful, sweaty trips to the shops sparked an internet frenzy splashing thousands on buying supplies online.

Online retailer Amazon said, compared with this time last year, sales increased by 816% for paddling pools; 519% for sprinklers and sprayers; 543% for patio chairs and loungers and 145% for sun skincare products.

David Jones, Waitrose supply chain director, said: "When temperatures reach the 'tipping point' of 28C (82.4F) we see customers switching from ice creams to ice lollies and from fizzy pop to mineral water-based drinks as rehydration becomes more important.

"Many are virtually abandoning their stoves for the great outdoors - with barbies, salads and picnics foods on the menu.

"Ice lollies will be up around 110% on last year and charcoal likely to be up by 300% on last year."

Superdrug said this week was its biggest so far this year for suncare sales.

The company's buying director Simon Comins said: ""While we may moan about the British weather as soon as the sun comes out we certainly embrace the arrival of some summer heat.

"Our sales prove that sun starved Brits were eager to get out into the sunshine.

"As the forecast continues to show sun and high temperatures our stores will be offering sun protection, and after-sun lotion, bronzers to tan up faces and bodies for those that have to work and can't spend the week in the sun, and plasters for those inevitable blisters from a summer shoe's first airing."

Britain's bookmakers fear their liabilities on the mercury hitting the 100F mark (37.7C) could soon reach £1 million, as punters continue to place their bets.

Emergency services warned against swimming in open waters and quarries after three people died in the West Midlands in the last week.

Veteran meteorologist Michael Fish, who famously reassured television viewers there was no hurricane on the way just hours before 1987's Great Storm, has predicted rain for St Swithin's Day tomorrow.

Legend has it that if it rains on the day, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Britain's most famous forecaster made the prediction for Virgin Trains which will be giving umbrellas away to commuters in London and Glasgow tomorrow