Heat prompts early harvests and hosepipe bans as European record confirmed

A combine harvester works in to the evening to gather a crop of corn on the Romney Marsh in Kent after the recent wet weather effected the start of the harvest period (Gareth Fuller/PA) - (PA Archive)

Extreme heat across the UK is causing early harvests and forcing local authorities to introduce hosepipe bans as forecasters confirm that last month was western Europe’s hottest June on record.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday as the country swelters in the third heatwave of the year.