Ultra rare Amber heatwave alert issued for all of England as UK braces for fatal scorcher

An amber health alert for heat will come into place across all of England in less than two hours.

The UK Health Security agency has issued an amber heat health alert for all of England - and says a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups is "likely".

It will remain in place for four days, from 12pm today, June 19, until 9am on Monday, June 23.

The alert has been issued for the North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West until Sunday.

The UKHSA said the prolonged period of hot weather could lead to "a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions", and "there may also be impacts on younger age groups."

It also warned there will likely be an "increased demand on all health and social care services", and that internal temperatures in care settings may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment.

The heat may also cause an increased risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings.

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated.