Richmond's hottest days of the year are imminent as a heatwave sweeps the country.

Temperatures will leap from highs of 23C on Monday to 32C by Wednesday.

Even the nights will become considerably warmer, with Friday's coolest temperature forecast for 4am at 18C.

The BBC said about Tuesday's weather in the capital: "It will be another fine day with almost unbroken summer sunshine.

"It will feel warmer than Monday with a gentle south-easterly wind."

Its outlook for Wednesday-Friday reads: "High pressure will dominate over the next few days. Wednesday will be dry and fine with plenty of sunshine. Feeling very warm or hot in gentle south-easterly winds.

"Thursday will be dry and sunny and it will be another very warm or hot day.

"Spells of sunshine on Friday and it will be very warm and humid, although there will be a chance of sharp showers breaking out."