ESSEX is set for record temperatures this week as the mercury climbs to its highest levels since 2006.

The county will be basking in temperatures of up to 27C by 4pm on Wednesday, according to the Met Office, and will remain at 24C as late as 10pm with humidity levels at 66 per cent – guaranteeing a hot and sticky night for many across south Essex.

The Met Office has put the region on a level two “heat health watch,” putting social and healthcare services on alert, with a 70 per cent chance of heatwave conditions between noon tomorrow  and 6am Thursday.

Essex Weather Centre says many parts of Essex will see the highest temperatures since July 2006.

Temperatures will begin to dip from Thursday, however, with showers and stormy weather moving in before picking up again over the weekend.

Laura Young of the Met Office said: “What we’ve got is, form the early hours of Tuesday, a plume of warm air coming in from the Continent hitting southern areas first and spreading throughout the rest of the country.

“This brings with it very hot temperatures combining with very sunny weather but it will also be quite sticky and humid.

“There is a possibility temperatures could actually climb higher than 27C on Wednesday if the sunshine is prolonged in a built-up area, but there is a good potential for this to break on Thursday with some quite heavy showers and for it to be quite thundery.

“Very young children and the elderly can be quite vulnerable to high temperatures but advice is available from local councils and NHS services so everyone can enjoy the warm weather.”