THE Faithful City will become the Furnace City this week as temperatures, already some of the highest in the UK, look set to rise further into the 90s.

Weather expert Paul Damari recorded the blistering figures from his station in Barbourne, yesterday and he predicts it's just the start of a sizzling summer heatwave.

Worcester could well be wilting at 34C (93F) this afternoon and, by mid August, he believes temperatures will soar to a sweltering 36C (97F).

"It was the hottest day of the year, yesterday and if we reach temperatures of 93F, it will be the warmest temperatures recorded since August 1990," said Mr Damari.

"Despite the odd thunderstorm, I think its going to be a warm and hot summer from now and well into next month."

The Evening News forecaster isn't surprised Worcester's topped the temperature charts and says the city is recognised as one of Britain's hotspots.

The hot weather has been great news for the region's ice cream sellers, with Bennett's Farm in Lower Wick recording a 50 per cent increase in sales on last week alone.

But not everyone is enjoying this warm spell, the elephants at West Midlands Safari Park have been insisting on at least one extra hosing down from their keepers.

UK temperatures have soared above those in the far north west of Spain 20C (68F) and Lisbon which is predicted to reach 23C (73F) today.

Bookmakers William Hill has already cut the odds against the UK temperature hitting 100C from 16/1 to a record low 14/1.