Britain has seen a burst of sunshine and hot weather over the past week or so but will the hot and sunny weather continue?

Showers have already been reported in parts of the country and heavy rain is being predicted to occur in England, Scotland and Wales over the next week.  There is also a warning of localised flooding happening in North-East Wales.

Although forecasters are predicting there will be loads more hot and sunny weather in August.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Britain was 38.5C (101.3F) in Brogdale, Kent, which occurred just five years ago during the summer heatwave of 2003.

Ladbrokes have cut the odds from 4/1 to 7/2* that the 2003 high will be bettered some time this year. 

For the 100F (37.8C) mark to be exceeded in 2008, the odds are just 2/1*.

Ladbrokes have reported that many punters have been gambling on these two marks being broken due to the hot temperatures over the past week.

Nick Weinberg of Ladbrokes said, “Punters are convinced that we’re in for a summer scorcher.”

Temperatures reached 32C (90F) in London during the weekend which was the hottest weather for two years.

As a result of the weekend heatwave, there was a big rise in the number of people fainting.  Emergency services have warned people to regularly put on plenty of suncream and drink plenty of fluids when enjoying the sunshine to avoid needing emergency treatment.

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