AS Herefordshire prepares to bask in sizzling summer temperatures, health officials in the county have warned residents to be aware of the risks during spells of hot weather.

The Met Office is predicting the heatwave will start today with temperatures in the county expected to reach 27C and 28C tomorrow.

Thursday will be cooler but by Friday the mercury will rise again to around 26C.

Dr Andy Watts, chair of Herefordshire clinical commissioning group, said: "During very hot weather, pregnant women and people who have chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal conditions, diabetes or Parkinson's disease, may experience discomfort if indoor temperatures are particularly hot.

"You should check the packaging on medicines as some may need to be kept below 25C or in the refrigerator.

"The key message for healthy individuals is to follow public health messages on how to enjoy the sun safely by staying cool, drinking lots of cold fluids and checking on those you know at risk."

West Midlands Ambulance Service, which serves Herefordshire, is bracing itself for a challenging week, with concerns about serious breathing problems resulting from the warm conditions.

WMAS medical director, Dr Andrew Carson, said: “A prolonged heatwave poses a real danger to those patients with emphysema, asthma and long term breathing problems.

“The hot weather makes breathing difficult even for healthy individuals. That’s why we suggest people with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors as much as possible.

“It is vital that we get to these patients as quickly as possible and would therefore ask the public to assist us by only calling 999 in life threatening situations.”