GRITTING lorries have been out and about in Worcester as the soaring temperatures melted the city’s roads.

Tarmac has been melting on newly-surfaced roads in the city including in Cotswold Way, Warndon Villages.

Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council's Highways Manager, said the hot weather had meant small sections of sticky patches had appeared on some of the county’s roads which have been recently surface dressed.

“Our teams have been out to put down fine grit/gravel to ensure that the road surface remains in good order,” he said.

“We have postponed our final 12 days of this season’s surface dressing programme until temperatures get a least 5C cooler than present.”

Paul Michaelwaite of Netweather.tv said next week's weather would be wetter.

“Monday is where it starts to change,” he said. “We could be closing in on 30C and it will be feeling quite humid. Through the afternoon there is an increasing risk of a thundery shower or thunderstorm.

“That’s the theme into the middle of the week. It stays hot but there is a growing risk of thundery storms and downpours and cooling off a touch.”

Dr Richard Harling, director of Adult Services and Health for Worcestershire County Council, said: “Many people in Worcestershire will be enjoying the weather this weekend, but we shouldn't forget that excessive temperatures can be dangerous.

“By taking sensible precautions for ourselves and our loved ones, we can all enjoy ourselves. Take extra care of babies, the elderly and people with health problems.

“I would also like to reiterate the advice of other agencies, especially to consider the dangers that water can pose, whether it be open water or reservoirs.”