Blue skies and soaring temperatures have been gracing Preston for the last two weeks

The very young and very old are being advised to keep out of the sun as Preston gears up for a heatwave.

The Met Office have officially declared a 90 per cent chance of heatwave conditions as temperatures have been over 30 degrees in the day and around the city for one and day and the following night.

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Issued at 9.12am on Friday the scorching temperatures are expected to last until 9pm on Saturday – with the Riversway Festival on the Docks set to see thousands of visitors soaking up the sun.

The Level 3 alert means those with chronic diseases, the very young and the very old are warned to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun where possible.

The Met Office state “these temperatures could have significant effect on health if reached on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.”

View the latest weather forecast below

This weather forecast is generated by the Met Office Weather Widget

Lancashire County Council are urging residents to keep cool and take precautions.

Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We’re more used to coping with wet and windy weather in this country, so prolonged hot weather is a welcome change for most of us – but it brings problems for some.

“Older people and those with chronic or serious illness need to take extra care and we’d ask people to keep an eye on any neighbours who they think might be at risk.

“And the Safer Sleep for Baby campaign has lots of good advice about how to make sure your little ones are comfortable and safe from overheating while they’re sleeping.

“During the heatwave, we all just need to use our common sense – keeping out of the sun, staying as cool as possible, drinking lots of cold non-alcoholic fluids and looking after those who are at risk.”

Top tips from Public Health England include:

– Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
– If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat
– Avoid physical exertion
– Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes
– Drink plenty of cold drinks
– If you take medication, keep medicines below 25 °C or in the refrigerator
– Look out for others, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
– Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.
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How are you keeping cool in the hot weather? Let us know in the comments below

Image credit to Tony Worrall