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EU staff were told they could go home early today because of the sweltering heat.

A memo sent to workers urged them to strip off their ties and suits, turn off the lights – and not to booze as the mercury rose in Brussels.

The offer to leave the office before the end of a shift was made to employees in the European Committee of the Regions Department.

An email headed “Very hot weather – early leaving option” was sent by Directorate E, human resources and finance, as the temperature soared.

Issuing a range of common sense advice, it urged workers to “wear light clothing – no suits and ties where possible”.

(Image: Bloomberg)

It also called on staff to “drink water regularly” and “not to drink alcohol, and to eat light meals”.

The email, passed to the Politico website, went on: “Get the air moving in your office by opening doors and windows for as long as possible while it is cool.

“At the hottest times, keep windows closed and blinds down. You can also switch off the lights.”

While most of the buildings are air conditioned, “the temperature is monitored regularly in those that are not”, officials were told.

But if they found the heat – which hit 31C in Brussels - too unbearable, “you are reminded that during very hot weather, and more specifically when the office temperature exceeds 30C, directors and heads of unit may allow those staff who so wish to to leave early, provided that the hours now worked are subsequently made up”.

The email was sent moments after the first formal Brexit talks got underway in Brussels between the UK and EU.

Jeremy Corbyn called for workers to be allowed home in temperatures above 27C or 30C when he first ran for Labour's leadership.