SOMERSET is set to swelter as another summer heatwave is forecast to head our way.

Temperatures this weekend could are set to be in the high 20s, but could then reach as high as 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

The scorching temperatures are a result of a ‘Spanish Plume’ – a band of hot air coming up from North Africa and Spain.

The warm weather will be welcome news for the county’s residents, with many set to flock to local beaches and parks to lap up the summer sun.

Forecaster Emma Sharples, from the Met Office, said: “On Friday we expect temperatures of between 25C (77F) and 27C (80.6F) in the south making it feel very warm and humid.

“Saturday is looking slightly cooler with some drizzle but Sunday is brighter with temperatures still in the mid 20Cs.

“Then as we go into Monday we start to pull warm air up from Spain and north Africa with temperatures expected to peak in the low 30Cs on Tuesday.

“The heat will extend quite a fair way across the country with even the north looking at temperatures in the high 20Cs.”

However, people are being warned to stay safe and protected from the sun.

The NHS is advising people not to get caught out by the potential hot weather.

As part of its Cover Up, Mate campaign, NHS England South is advising the public to wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.

NHS England South Medical Director Nigel Acheson said: “We all like to joke about the Great British Summer, but as July’s mini heatwave showed, just a few hours of unexpected hot sun can be really intense.

“The dangers are all too clear, not only getting burned or sunstroke but also the added risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

“Put simply, Cover Up, Mate with hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself and your family.”

Latest statistics from Cancer Research show that since the late 1970s, skin cancer incidence rates have more than quadrupled (360% increase) in Great Britain.

Figures from Public Health England show the South has seen a huge rise in incidence of and deaths from malignant melanoma in recent years.

Many local areas across the South have higher rates of malignant melanoma than the national average.

Top sun safe tips include: • Use at least factor 15 sunscreen in the sun and use plenty of it; • Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin – don’t forget your neck and ears and your head if you have thinning or no hair; • Wear sunglasses and a hat; • Take particular care if have fair skin, moles or freckles, red or fair hair, or light-coloured eyes.