HEATWAVE: Bedfordshire will be hotter than Rio de Janeiro as heatwave reaches its peak on Wednesday

BEDFORDSHIRE will bask in temperatures hotter than Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, Australia, today (July 1) as the mercury hits a sweltering 30C.

The day will begin at around 25-26C, quickly rising to 29C by 11am and will hit highs of at least 30C by around 4pm this afternoon, according to Met Office forecasters.

Meanwhile in Rio, the temperature is only set to hit a paltry 22C.

We may not have Copacabana Beach, but we spotted plenty of you out and about in Bedford yesterday making the most of the sunny weather.

With clear skies ahead today, make sure you are taking precautions against the heat.

Please remember sun cream, hats and keep a special eye on how your pets are coping with conditions.

If those balmy evenings are just too tempting, make sure you read Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s advice about barbecuing safely.

As we head into Thursday, the county will see highs of around 24-25C, with a touch more cloud cover expected and more humidity than previous days and rain is forecast for around 10am.

Matt Broad, from the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “It’s nice that the sun is shining and we can all enjoy a taste of summer – but it’s important to remember that rising heat does bring health risks. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for the coming days and take some sensible precautions when you are out about – precautions that will help you avoid becoming a patient and protect your health.”

Here are some of our ideas on ways to keep cool in Bedfordshire.