Essex is set to sizzle in what could be the highest temperatures of the year so far by the end of the week, according to the Met Office.
Temperatures are in line to top the 26.5C recorded at Writtle College in Chelmsford on Monday by the time we reach Friday.
It will be dry and bright today and tomorrow, with any cloud clearing to leave bright, clear and hot afternoons with temperatures peaking at 24C on Thursday afternoon.
And with the warmer temperatures on the horizon, the East of England Ambulance Service has issued a plea to sun lovers to ensure they're staying safe.
"In the summer we see increases of calls to people enjoying the outdoors such as coastal areas and open waters and, with schools closed for the summer soon, many of these will be children, said the service's locality director Matt Broad.
"We also host events like the V Festival and Latitude where people suffering from drink, substance use and heat exhaustion could have prevented a problem with more care.
"Please use common sense if spending a day out in the sun, think about drinking sensibly by having plenty of water and soft drinks, and watch out for hazards or unsafe areas around crowds and on roads that might be busier than usual on a good summer's day.
"Once you have to ring 999 because of something you could have prevented, you turn your summer into something memorable for all the wrong reasons."
