HAMPSHIRE has been warned to take precautions as the country looks set to be gripped by a heatwave over the next couple of days.

Forecasters predict temperatures could reach in excess of 30C - making it hotter than Barbados.

The Met Office has issued a Level 2 alert with a 60 per cent chance of heatwave conditions between 8am tomorrow and 8am on Sunday.

Temperatures are predicted to reach between 28C and 32C and not dip below 15C and 18C at night.

Babies, very young children, older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions are at a higher risk of suffering from severe health effects during the heatwave.

People are urged to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and take measures to cool down, such as having plenty of cold drinks, cold food, and taking cool showers.

But the county is set to be battered by torrential rain and thunderstorms early on Saturday morning, according to Met Office data.

Cllr Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and public health at Hampshire County Council, said: “Many of us will want to enjoy the sunshine, and by taking simple precautions will be able to in a way that ensures we do not suffer ill-effects.

“For others coping in the heat is more difficult and just as we saw so many good neighbours during the flooding it is equally important that we keep an eye out for people who are more vulnerable in hot weather, such as elderly neighbours.”