AMBULANCE chiefs last night urged people to avoid risking over-exposure to the heat with the soaring temperatures and bright sunshine expected to remain for the next week.

The hot spell will last for the week ahead according to weather experts, who have predicted highs of 30C over the weekend.

People out enjoying the current good weather have been urged to take care after the ambulance service responded to a number of calls to people suffering heat-related problems as temperatures topped 27C (81F) yesterday.

Weather forecaster Joe Osborne, at Weatherquest, said temperatures would continue to stay in the mid to high 20s all week and into the weekend, when we could see highs of 30C (86F).

Speaking last night, he said: “We saw highs today at Wattisham of 27C and even at 6pm we were still seeing the temperature staying that warm. The next couple of days we should see the warm weather staying with us. It could be cooler because we may see a little more cloud which could bring a few showers at lunchtime.

“But temperatures will still stay around 25C (77F).”

He said Friday was looking “particularly warm” and predicted the mercury could peak in the 30s over the weekend.

“We are looking at an extended period of warm weather, I can’t see temperatures dropping below the mid-20s for the foreseeable future, the next seven to ten days at least.”

But ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “Our ambulance crews can be very busy at this time of the year, seeing people who might have overdone it in the heat.

“The warmer weather is something we all take advantage of, and by following just a few simple precautions, people can enjoy the sun safely.”

He said the most vulnerable in hot weather are the very young, older people or those with existing medical problems.

“In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse and of course cause sunburn. In extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.”

The ambulance service encouraged people to wear hats, stick to shady areas when outside, drink plenty of water and take particular care when the sun is at its hottest between 11am-3pm.

Those with serious health problems are advised to avoid going outside and everyone is encouraged to wear high-factor sun cream, topping it up regularly.

In Finningham, near Stowmarket, at 9m yesterday the hot weather caused a fire to ignite in a compost heap. It broke out just before 9am yesterday, spreading to surrounding trees and hedges.

A fire crew from Eye used a crane to reach the flames, which had been fully extinguished and the area declared safe by around 10.20am.