AN amber heatwave warning by the Met Office for this week means recycling and waste bins will be collected early across the West Somerset and Wellington areas

The Met Office alert for high temperatures covers from 1 am on Monday (June 22) to midnight on Thursday (June 25).

It said the most extreme heat would be on Wednesday and Thursday when the temperature could hit 37 or 38 degrees centigrade.

The heat build up was beginning on Sunday with temperatures in the mid-20s, rising on Monday and Tuesday to 30C until peaking mid-week in the high 30s, before dropping back to mid to low 20s at the end of the week.

Somerset Council said waste collections across the county would begin an hour earlier at 6 am on Monday and continue throughout the week while the extreme heat weather warning was in place.

The early starts will help collection crews impacted by the hot weather and help to minimise the possibility of disruption to recycling, rubbish, or garden waste collections.

Somerset executive Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said waste collection was hard, physical work and early starts helped limit the time crews spent working in the hottest part of the day.

Cllr Smith-Roberts said: “With temperatures expected to rise sharply, we are taking sensible steps to help protect our waste and recycling crews while keeping collections running smoothly.

“We are asking residents to please put their recycling, rubbish, and garden waste out the night before their collection day so they are ready for the earlier start.

“Thank you for helping our crews stay safe and for supporting the service during this hot spell.”

The Met Office said exceptionally warm temperatures would be experienced both day and night this week.

It said ‘adverse health effects’ were likely to be experienced by people and not just those most vulnerable to extreme heat.

Potentially, issues could lead to ‘serious illness or danger to life’, and substantial changes in working practices and daily routines were likely to be required to help cope with the weather.

A spokesperson said: “Summer heat can affect anybody, but some people are at greater risk from it.

“This includes older people and those with underlying health conditions, as well as those who cannot adapt their behaviour to keep cool or who are exposed to high levels of heat because of where they live or work.

“As our climate changes, hot spells are expected to be more frequent and more intense, so knowing how to keep cool in hot weather and heatwaves is important.

“If you, or somebody else feels unwell with a high temperature during hot weather or after physical exertion, you should stay alert to the possibility of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

“Older people, those with underlying conditions, and those who live alone are particularly at risk.

“Stay cool indoors, close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler.

“Counterintuitively, closing doors and windows in the heat of the day can keep it cooler inside.

“Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.

“Never leave anybody in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, or animals.

“Try to keep out of the sun between 11 am to 3 pm, when the UV rays are strongest.”

“Age UK offers a range of free information and advice designed to help older people live well during the summer months and protect themselves when the temperature rises.”