FIVE schools in Worcestershire are closing next week due to the extreme heatwave.

All schools in the Mercian Educational Trust will be closed on Monday with temperatures set to hit 39C.

The MET schools are Dines Green Community Academy, Northleigh CE Primary, Great Malvern Primary and Somers Park.

In a letter to parents, the trust announced: "We take this warning very seriously.

"We are informed that “widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.” are entirely possible.

"Our school sites and environments are not designed to comfortably accommodate pupils and staff at the anticipated temperatures for prolonged periods of time.

"Furthermore, having reviewed the guidance from the Department of Education, we are concerned that we will be unable to fulfil the suggested measures to maintain safe working environments for our pupils and staff.

"Therefore, in consultation with School Leaders and Trustees we have made the difficult decision to close all MET schools on July 18.

"We will continue to monitor the forecast over the weekend."

The letter ended with confirmation a decision on whether to open on Tuesday will be made by 1pm on Monday.

The fifth school so far confirmed to close is Pershore High School, with the Avonreach Academy Trust announcing the news in a letter to parents.

The news comes as schools across the county prepare to face the heatwave.

Worcestershire County Council has told all the county's schools to take action and prepare for the heatwave.

In a communication sent to school leaders, Worcestershire Children First wrote: "We strongly advise you cancel all non-essential activities to ensure the safety of staff and pupils.

"We recognise that leaders will have to take mitigating actions to manage the health and safety of staff and pupils and these decisions will be taken at school level dependent on circumstances at the time.

"Schools, special schools in particular, will also be considering the needs of children more vulnerable to high temperatures and planning with parents/carers to manage this."

The Met Office has warned of an 'exceptional hot spell on Monday and Tuesday leading to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure'.

Temperatures in the mid to high 30s are being expected, with some parts of the country potentially in for 40C heat.