Somerset Highways are expecting more record temperatures today (July 19) reporting that road surface temperatures reached a high of 50°C on the A303 near Ilchester yesterday.

Yesterday the gritting lorries, usually out in the winter clearing snow and ice, were packed with dust. They were out yesterday on the A38 Bristol Road, Brent Knoll and B3151 Cocklake to Hythe Bow Bridge, Cheddar.

Today they posted a video showing the gritting lorries getting ready to spray roads due to the unseasonal temperatures.

The danger of roads 'melting' is becoming a reality across many parts of the UK in the current heatwave.

British roads are made from asphalt, but some are built from concrete. The Road Surface Treatments Association said the surface can begin to melt as it hits 50C. This can happen even when the air temperature drops as low as 20C at the end of a day, because the road surface absorbs heat during the heat of the day

The AA have also been advising motorists that there is a greater danger of tyre blow-outs in extreme temperatures and have suggested drivers check their tyre pressures – when the tyre is cold – before setting off on their journeys.