Could we be heading for the hottest June day in Northampton in more than 20 years?

Weather watchers could be reaching for the record books as Northamptonshire sizzles in sky-high temperatures this week.

Met Office experts have even issued 'cover-up' warnings as thermometers are set to soar to 34°C in many parts of central central England on Wednesday and Thursday.

And all eyes are on temperatures topping the highest recorded in more than 20 years at the Met Office's Pitsford weather station, 31.9°C set three years ago.

Chief meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: “Temperatures will continue to climb through the week with a hot spell developing across much of England and Wales.

"From Wednesday temperatures will widely reach into the high-20s Celsius and it’ll be hot across much of the UK, especially central and southern England where we could see highs of 30 to 34°C.

"This hot weather is expected to last until at least Friday and so heatwave conditions are likely to develop for some areas this week.”

“In addition to the warm days, we are going to see some warm nights this week as temperatures overnight remain in the high teens.”

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But the arrival flamin' June is also set to bring misery for hay fever sufferers as grass pollen levels are expected to soar in the sunshine.

So, where is this hot spell coming from?

Dan said: “We quite often see warm, southerly air from the continent bringing these high temperatures to the UK in summer.

"This week, however, the air across the UK has arrived from the Atlantic.

"This Atlantic air will descend and warm up as it moves across the UK and this in combination with clear skies and strong late-June sunshine, we’re seeing temperatures rise.

The lowest temperature seen at Pitsford on that record-breaking day June 19, 2017 was 18.2°C.

On the same day, a 6ft deep sinkhole appeared in Overstone Road, outside The Lamplighter pub in Northampton.

The UK's highest June temperature is 35.6°C set in Southampton on June 28, 1976, when a drought across the UK lasted until September.

Water levels at Pitsford reservoir near Northampton dropped 20ft below normal as residents were forced to get water from stand pipes in the street.