There may be a desperate scramble to appoint a new prime minister, a cost of living crisis

and war in Europe, but in the last few days, wherever you've been in the country, there's

one topic of conversation that's trumped all others.

Heat wave.

Glorious temperatures, absolutely sizzling.

Scorching summer days, barely a wisp of cloud in the sky.

Extreme at hot.

We're a nation obsessed with the weather, but it's not every day that it makes headlines.

For the first time ever in the UK, a red weather warning for extreme heat has come into effect

across a large part of England.

This could reach 40 degrees Celsius for the first time ever in the UK.

We all love a bit of sun, but are we really ready for life at 35 degrees and hotter?

These train tracks on a bridge in Battersea caught fire early this morning, causing disruption.

In Lincolnshire, the high temperatures have caused a key RAF base to halt flight.

There are warnings to about water use, especially in areas where hospitals will be pushed over

the next 48 hours.

Some one-on-one control rooms have drafted in extra staff.

The government has been holding crisis meetings, warning of a surge in NHS demand, as well

as declaring a national emergency.

It's my job to chair Cobra, it's my job to coordinate across government.

We are now well coordinated, we're stood up, we're facing a difficult 48 hours possibly,

and that we hope and expect that people understand that it's going to be very hot.

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