Devon and Cornwall braces for heatwave

People in Devon and Cornwall are being advised to take extra care and beware of adjustments to services in heatwave conditions.

An amber heat health alert came into effect at 12:00 BST and was expected to remain in place until 09:00 BST on Monday.

Temperatures have hit 27C in Bude, 25C in Newquay and 24C in Plymouth since the start of the day.

On Friday the mercury was expected to reach 25C in Plymouth, 26C in Barnstaple and 26C in Bude, according to BBC Weather.

East Devon District Council said bin collection crews would be starting collections at 06:00 BST during the warmer weather period so rounds could be completed "in the cooler parts of the day".

The RSPCA urged dog owners to "think twice before taking your dog out in the heat as even a short walk can lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal".

"If [the ground] is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws," it said.

"Avoid walking during the day - stick to early mornings or late evenings, make sure they have plenty of cool water and shade."

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service advised people to pack picnics instead of disposable barbecues to cut the risk of wildfires.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].