A look back at the famous London heatwave of 1976

In 1976, there were 16 consecutive days of temperatures over 30C
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On June 28, 1976 the temperature in Southampton was recorded as 35.4C - making it the UK's hottest June day on record.

It's looking like we'll beat that this year as the UK's month-long heatwave is supposed to reach a staggering 36C today.

And, apart from when we're stuck on the Central Line, we're certainly not complaining.

Back in '76, Heathrow recorded a temperature of over 30C for 16 consecutive days from June 23 to July 8. But, while sun revellers were basking in the heat, the humid weather also caused a drought across the UK - some places going 45 days without rain - which resulted in numerous bush fires.

The heatwave also caused a swarms of an estimated 23.65 billion seven-spotted ladybirds across southern and eastern England, due to the warm weather amping up their food supply - but swarming occurred when their food supply ran out.

It was also reported that there were 20 per cent 'excess deaths' during the heatwave, plus a significant rise in hospital emergency admissions, especially during the two-week period where temperatures reached its peak.

While '76 was certainly one hot summer, the hottest ever temperature recorded in the UK was 38.5C on August 10, 2003 in Faversham, Kent.

We don't even want to imagine what the tubes would be like if London ever gets that hot...

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