Britain could bake under record-breaking heat as temperatures could potentially climb to 39C on Thursday.

The scorching conditions may spark thunderstorms which could trigger travel delays, flash flooding, and power cuts.

The dangers of cooling off in lakes, rivers and the sea were highlighted by emergency services after the bodies of three people were pulled from the water on Wednesday after they reportedly got into difficulty swimming.

A yellow weather warning is in force for most of England, except the south-west, and parts of Scotland from 3pm on Thursday until 4am on Friday.

According to the Met Office, there is a 60% chance the mercury could rise above the current all-time UK temperature record of 38.5C on Thursday.

"It will get into the 30s across the country and reach the mid-30s in the south-east," Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said.

"If it is to get to 39C, it will happen somewhere between London and Cambridge.

"Temperatures locally could also break July or all-time records."

Lightning storms have already caused fires and rail disruption this week during the heatwave.

Network Rail warned speed restrictions may be introduced in areas where tracks are at risk of buckling.

The Met Office has said heatwaves are on the increase as a result of climate change.

It is even possible the mercury could climb to 40C, which would be "unprecedented" for the UK climate, weather forecasters added.

The scorching temperatures gripping the UK and much of Europe come against a backdrop of global warming of 1C since the Industrial Revolution driven by greenhouse gas emissions.

Both Belgium and the Netherlands broke their all-time maximum temperature records on Wednesday, reaching 39.9C and 39.1C respectively, the Met Office said.

Higher temperatures are making extreme hot spells more likely and more intense, experts warn.