It is due to be the hottest day on record for Frome - with warnings of staying out of the sun, avoiding any unnecessary travel, and looking after those who need water.

One reminder too, to put out a shallow dish of water in your garden for hedgehogs - often overlooked.

The local vets are already saying that they have treated some animals for heatstroke.

Garston Vets in Frome has posted:

Temperatures are due to reach 35 degrees over the next few days so we are urging owners to only walk their dogs early in the morning or late at night. Remember . . If a pavement is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws!

The most common clinical signs for pets suffering with heatstroke before they collapse, and go into shock are any of the following:

• Drooling

• Excessive panting

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Rapid heart rate

• Weakness

• Seizures

Small furry pets living outside must be able to access shade and fresh water. We recommend moving their hutch to a cool space, using a parasol and draping a large towel over their run to provide shelter from the sun.

The drought of 1976 - a reminder

There are a lot of stories comparing this summer of 2022 with that nearly 50 years ago, but that heatwave was different in that it came at the end of a prolonged dry spell.

The exceptionally dry period began in May 1975 and lasted for 16 months from 22nd June to 16th July 1976 .

The lack of water actually led Parliament to pass a special Drought Act in 1976 to ration water. Parts of the South West went 45 days without any rain in July and August and a total of 50,000 trees were destroyed at the Hurn Forest in Dorset. Crops were also badly hit, with an estimated £500 million worth of arable crops failing, leading to an estimated price increase of 12%.

Heathrow had 16 consecutive days over 30 °C (86 °F) from 23 June to 8 July and for 15 consecutive days from 23 June to 7 July temperatures reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) somewhere in England. Furthermore, five days saw temperatures exceed 35 °C (95 °F). The hottest day of all was 3 July, with temperatures reaching 35.9 °C (96.6 °F) in Cheltenham.

There was widespread water rationing and public standpipes in some affected areas. Reservoirs were at an extremely low level, as were some rivers with the rivers Don, Sheaf, Shire Brook and Meers Brook, all in Sheffield running completely dry

However the weather all changed and in September and October 1976 there were heavy rains.

The weather for Frome is expected to break on Wednesday although it will still be hot, according to the Met, 25 degrees, while they are forecasting some light rain on Friday.

Tip to save water and money

Cutting a minute from your morning shower could save up to 12 litres a minute and cut £70 a year from your bills – and an extra £60 from your water bill if you're on a meter! You can find out more at the Water's Worth Saving campaign website HERE