The Met Office has delivered its verdict on the next heatwave as weather maps turn a fiery red, with a blistering 39C scorcher on the horizon.

The latest update from the forecaster follows its warning that another heatwave was "increasingly likely" within the next 30 days.

According to Net Weather maps, the UK is braced for extreme highs next week, with temperatures peaking on Thursday, July 9, as London is expected to swelter in a staggering 39C.

Should these temperatures materialise, further records will be shattered.

Last week, the hottest June day in UK history (37.7C) was recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk, east of Norwich, on Friday, June 26.

This surpassed the 37.3C logged at Santon Downham in Suffolk on the same day.

According to Net Weather maps, the capital and neighbouring Berkshire are forecast to hit 39C, while Hertfordshire is also expected to climb to 38C.

Elsewhere, Gloucestershire will similarly experience temperatures of 38C, with other areas across the south west also reaching the high 30s.

Further north, scorching conditions are also anticipated, with Cheshire forecast a balmy 35C.

A fresh heat warning has been issued across southern England and parts of the Midlands, in place from 12pm on Saturday, July 4, until 5pm on Wednesday, July 8, ahead of the anticipated heatwave.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that the forthcoming hot spell could place significant strain on health and social care services, following numerous critical incidents declared during the previous bout of extreme heat.

Tony Wisson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: "Toward the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in across most of the UK as it extends from the Azores.

"This will lead to more settled, warm or very warm conditions for many, especially across England and Wales, though some rain may still affect the far north.

"The forecast for this weekend suggests that temperatures could approach high 20C across parts of England, perhaps 30C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20C in Wales.

"Although a return to heatwave conditions is looking increasingly likely for some areas, the likelihood of such extreme high temperatures or high levels of humidity as last week is currently low."