PARAMEDICS and first aiders have been stretched to the limit as temperatures continue to soar as high as 30 degrees.

This June has been the warmest for 40 years, with many people struggling to cope with the heatwave. The East of England Ambulance Service has been increasingly in demand, with an increase in call-outs for falls, people falling unconscious and sickness related to the increase in temperature.

Southend had highs of 29C yesterday - the longest day of the year - and Canvey reached 30C, with Basildon sweltering at 31C.

On Saturday, the ambulance service received 885 calls in Essex and on Sunday dealt with a staggering 1,110 calls.

Southend Shore Office, run by Southend Council to improve safety on the seafront, took in more than 95 casualties over the weekend.

Most of these were cuts to hands, feet and legs. There were also two serious casualties who required hospital treatment.

Hugh Hunter, a volunteer, said: “Most of the people got the injuries walking out on the mud towards the sea.

“Please wear something on your feet before going out as there is glass under the mud and sharp stones and shells.

“As you walk you sink into the mud and that’s when you get injured.

“We are in close working partnership with the Coastguard and they did a wonderful job in protecting and finding lost children.”

Nationally, there were highs of 34C in West London yesterday - which make it the hottest June day since the 35.6C recorded in Southampton on June 28, 1976.

It also became the fifth consecutive day that temperatures have topped 30C in the UK, according to the Met Office.

A level three amber warning, one behind a national emergency, has been in place due to England’s sweltering temperatures.

There is currently a yellow weather warning for heavy rain, spanning from 3am yesterday until 6am today. As temperatures begin to cool down to the mid-twenties, rainfall is set to continue throughout the weekend and into next week.

A Met Office spokesman warned that downpours and strong gusts of wind are likely.

He said: “Frequent lightning in association with the heaviest rain may temporarily disrupt power supplies, whilst damage from large hail could occur on a very localised scale. However, many places will likely miss the worst of the storms and see little or no impact.”