WEATHER: Temperature cools as heatwave ends (From News Shopper)

WEATHER: Temperature cools as heatwave ends

9:48am Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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BRITAIN'S hottest spell in years has come to an end as a cool front moved in, lowering the mercury across the country.

On Thursday, swathes of the UK remained in the grip of the blistering heat while other parts dealt with heavy rain and flash floods.

The hot weather - which saw temperatures reach a high of 31.8C (89.2F) on Tuesday - will be replaced by cooler air accompanied by showers in many parts.

Temperatures on Thursday afternoon soared to 30C (86F) at Heathrow airport, but other regions - including the North, the West and Ireland - were hit by heavy downpours.

Steve Ellison, forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, the weather arm of the Press Association, said temperatures on Friday and Saturday would hover around the mid 20s in southern England.

He said: "We saw the last of the heatwave on Thursday. From Friday onwards temperatures will cool down across the country. It will certainly feel a lot fresher."

Mr Ellison said Wimbledon should escape most of the showers coming over the weekend as the weather turns unsettled.

During the hot spell ambulance crews treated large numbers of patients for breathing problems, chest pains, loss of consciousness and fainting.