Europe heatwave live: Temperatures of 40C expected in Spain, with amber heat health warning in place across large parts of UK

In France, 80 departments have been placed on an orange heat warning

More than 135 million people – particularly in France, Italy, Spain and the UK – are set to experience temperatures over 35C on Thursday as the continent’s latest heatwave intensifies, according to AFP calculations.

Temperatures are set to surpass 30C for nearly three out of five European residents (excluding Turkey), amounting to around 340 million people.