Cookham Discussion Board

Parents in Berkshire have been warned to look out for young children and babies amid a heatwave alert.

The heat-health threat level was raised from yellow to amber at 9am this morning ahead of Friday, predicted to be the hottest day of the year.

Amber is the second highest watch level issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups like children and older people.

The agency has advised people to close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler, to drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.

Only red level supersedes amber in the case of a national emergency: when a heatwave is so severe or prolonged that it put fit and healthy people at risk.