The Met Office has extended its amber weather warning in the UK as residents brace for what could be the hottest day ever recorded.

The Amber warning, which had initially been issued for Sunday has now been extended to Monday and covers a large area of England and Wales.

There is a 30 per cent chance that Sunday will be the hottest day ever recorded in the UK.

On Monday, the Met Office issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat across parts of the UK ahead of further soaring temperatures this week.

The rare warning states there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness as a result of the scorching temperatures.

Other issues could include road closures and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

The Met Office said the warning is in place from 12.01am on Sunday to 11.59pm, when temperatures are predicted to soar into the 30s.

It is being enforced across the East Midlands, east of England, London, South East, North East, North West, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.

Weather forecasting models suggest it is possible – though not likely – temperatures could reach 40C in the UK next weekend.