How the latest heatwave is impacting the South East

Temperatures across the South East are expected to peak in the mid-30s Celsius (95F) as a fourth heatwave begins in the region.

The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded its heat-health alert, and the amber warning currently in place means the whole population could be at risk from hot weather.

The warning is due to be lifted on Thursday morning, while the Environment Agency confirms Kent and East Sussex to be among the areas experiencing prolonged dry weather.

So, how is the South East coping?

The very hot weather, and lack of rain coming with it, is impacting many sectors across the region - including nurseries.

Hayley Peacock, CEO and director of Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries which has a number of sites across Sussex, said the heat has been "playing havoc on our nurseries and operations over the last few weeks".

"People don't realise that it is dangerous for young children where temperatures reach up to 38 degrees," she told BBC Radio Sussex on Wednesday.

The high temperatures are also proving difficult for those who rely on the land to make a living.

Earlier this week the BBC spoke to Alan Clifton-Holt, whose farm in Romney Marsh is struggling due to having "no real meaningful rain since February".

"It has made it very difficult, we've got crops that have failed, we've got crops that are particularly low in yield," he said.

For the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Wisley garden in Surrey, which has had no rain for nearly six weeks, the picture is more mixed.

On one hand, many areas of the Wisley garden have been left without irrigation, meaning leaves are beginning to fall off.

However, RHS horticulture director Tim Upson said that crops like wild carrots were "looking great", while crape myrtles were flowering well in the heat.

Philip Thorley from Thorley Taverns, which owns Barnacles pub in Margate, has a different perspective.

He said: "We absolutely love the hot weather... it means we get locals coming out, we get the visitors coming down to the towns.

"We're the Mediterranean of Kent down here in Margate, so we love the hot weather."

There can be a 500% uptick in takings compared to a rainy day, he added.

The Met Office has confirmed that July has so-far seen 7% of its long-term average rainfall, falling to 1% across the south of England.

While Kent, Sussex and Surrey are not officially in drought, seven other regions are, meaning there have been three droughts in the past five years.

Many residents and businesses across the three counties continue to be affected by separate hosepipe bans put in place by South East Water,Affinity Water and Thames Water.

According to Met Office chief meteorologist, Will Lang, has warned that the situation is not likely to change soon.

He said: "While there are indications of occasional unsettled spells during the first part of August, bringing the chance of rain to some locations, there is currently little sign of the widespread, sustained rainfall that would be needed to make a significant difference to the areas most affected by the dry weather."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.