A panel of experts offer suggestions on how to keep cool in the heat.

WHAT TO DRINK - Dr Dan Rutherford writes: With signs of dehydration such as increased pulse, feeling faint and muscle cramps, it is important to drink more in hot weather and water is the best fluid replacement when it is hot. Fizzy drinks can make you more dehydrated. To cool an overheated body, dipping your hands in cool water helps draw heat from the body as the hands have a large surface area and a high blood flow.

WHAT TO EAT - Sara Stanner writes: Mint contains menthol, which has a cooling effect. As food provides around 20% of our fluid requirements, choose those with a high water content in the summer (such as lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, berries, smoothies) to prevent dehydration.

IN THE HOME - Sarah Lonsdale writes: External shutters and shades are always better than internal ones. By the time the sun’s heat hits internal window coverings, it is already in the house. Use awnings too. As carpets retain heat, replace them with tiles or lino. Jeff Howell writes - The key is ventilation, preferably a through-draught from bottom to top. So open roof windows and loft hatches, and windows downstairs.

IN THE GARDEN - Bunny Guinness writes: Wear a hat and sit near a water feature.
AND AT NIGHT - avoid eating a large meal before you go to bed as we expend energy digesting food and absorbing nutrients, so body temperature tends to rise, which can make you feel hotter.