Brits are being warned that they should steer clear of booze during this week's record-breaking heatwave.
Although many of us will be tempted to reach for the nearest beer or Aperol spritz, experts are warning that a refreshing alcoholic drink could actually make you feel much worse.
Drinkaware is urging people to proceed with caution, as drinking alcohol can lead to severe dehydration - something that can be very dangerous in weather like this, The Manc reports.
In case it's somehow passed you by, the Met Office has officially issued a Red weather warning for extreme heat in the east of England, the Midlands, and parts of the North West for today and tomorrow in what is the first time in UK history - with temperatures forecast to reach record highs of 40°C in some areas.
An amber warning for heat is also in place across the rest of England, Wales, and some parts of southern Scotland.
When the warm weather hits, most of us will naturally reach for a drink to cool down and are generally aware of doctors' advice us to keep as hydrated as possible, but what we choose to drink is more important than you may initially think.
Avoid booze while the heatwave is here, Drinkaware has advised. Credit: Unsplash
Alcohol is classed as being a diuretic, which basically means it makes us wee more, and of course, when you wee more, you become more dehydrated - hence why experts over at alcohol advice platform Drinkaware are warning against people drinking to excess over the next couple of days.
"Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it encourages the kidneys to lose extra fluid," Drinkaware's website reads.
"That is why you tend to go the toilet to urinate much more when you drink alcohol.
"Alcohol also makes you sweat more [and] the combination of sweating more in the heat, and going to the toilet more, means you lose more fluid than you take in and can become dehydrated unless you replace that lost fluid by drinking water."
The Met Office is calling the forecasted temperates over these next two days as "absolutely unprecedented", and is urging people to treat the warning it is issuing "as seriously as you would a red or amber warning from us for wind or snow".
The national weather service is urging people to "follow the advice".
"Stay out of the sun, keep your home cool, think about adjusting your plans for the warning period," the Met Office says.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also published a number of resources outlining the risks of the expected heat and actions you can take to protect yourself and others over the next couple of days - which includes a 'Beat the Heat: Keep cool at home checklist', and is available on the Heatwave plan for England page.
Children from schools across Leeds will swap the classroom for market stalls this summer.
And that's because they'll be selling fresh, school-grown fruit and vegetables to the public in support of a great cause.
Children from seven local primary schools have spent the past few months growing produce from seed with support from expert gardeners as part of Young Marketeers, a food education programme run by charity School Food Matters with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and Lord Barnby’s Foundation.
Now, they’ll harvest and sell their produce to shoppers, putting their new gardening, teamwork and marketing skills into practice while learning more about where food comes from.
Image: Supplied
The Young Marketeers Leeds Market Day will take place on Friday 10 July from 11am - 1pm at Kirkgate Market.
Visitors can expect to find the children selling a colourful selection of seasonal produce, such as chard, courgettes, lettuce, microgreens, potatoes, radishes and runner beans.
Stephanie Slater MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of School Food Matters, said: “Food education is a vital life skill, and hands-on experiences such as growing and selling fresh produce can help children build a real connection with food and where it comes from.
"For 15 years, our Young Marketeers programme has been giving children the chance to learn new skills, work as a team and take pride in what they’ve grown. Market Day is a celebration of the value of food education and a moment for hundreds of enterprising young gardeners across the country to shine.”
Money raised from sales on the day will be donated to Incredible Edible Leeds, a not-for-profit organisation which supports over 20 areas of Leeds to run food growing projects.
Last year, Young Marketeers reached 120 schools in 14 cities across England.
A beach has popped up in the Sheffield city centre this week – and it’s completely free to visit
Clementine Hall
You don't need to book a seaside getaway to enjoy some beach vibes this week, as a giant pop-up beach has arrived right in the heart of the city centre.
To celebrate the opening of Summer Holiday, Tudor Square has been transformed into a sandy seaside retreat.
Located outside the Crucible and Lyceum theatres, the square is now packed with all the essentials for a classic day at the beach - from buckets and spades to deckchairs.
The free attraction is open from 11am until 7pm between Thursday 25 June and Saturday 27 June, with organisers encouraging people of all ages to head down and make the most of the sunshine.
Whether you're looking to snap a holiday-style photo, keep the kids entertained, or simply enjoy a laid-back afternoon in the city, the beach is open to everyone and there's no need to reserve a spot in advance.
Visitors are being reminded to come prepared for the warm weather by bringing suncream, hats, and plenty of water.
And if that wasn't enough, there's even more happening on Saturday 27 June.
A live DJ set from SlamBarz will provide the soundtrack to the day from 11.45am until 2pm, while a barbecue will be providing the goods from midday through until 6pm.
With sunshine, sand, music, and food all on offer, Tudor Square is set to become the place to be this weekend.
So grab your sunglasses and your bucket and spade, round up your friends and family, and head down to enjoy a slice of the seaside right in the middle of the city
Daisy Jackson -
18th July 2022 
