TEMPERATURES could reach as high as 27 degrees in Ayrshire in the next few days as a heatwave strikes the UK.

According to the BBC's weather tracker, thermometers in the area could hit close to the 30 degree mark at the start of next week.

Ayr Advertiser: Photo: BBC NewsPhoto: BBC News

Sunday is set to see temperatures reach 23 degrees, and Monday and Tuesday are expected to be even hotter, with peaks of 26 and 27 degrees respectively.

An amber "be prepared" weather warning is in place for most of England and parts of Wales on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures in some areas forecast to hit 35 degrees on July 19. 

The Met Office is advising that in areas covered by the warning, "population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life".

In some areas gritters have been mobilised to "stop the roads from melting".

That Met Office warning does not yet extend as far as Scotland, although with the weather still set to be hotter than at any point so far this year, people in Scotland are still being advised to take measures to stay as cool and hydrated as possible.