Almost 900 people are thought to have died as a result of the heatwaves last summer, official data shows.

There were an estimated 892 “excess deaths” in over-65s during the three heatwaves that swept the UK, Public Health England (PHE) said.

The number of deaths spiked on the hottest day of the summer, 25 July, according to provisional data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last October.

There were 275 excess deaths between 21-28 July and 320 between 23-29 August. The total is the highest for the last three years.

UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Show all 44 1 /44 UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Bournemouth Hundreds of people at the beach in Bournemouth, as the UK could encounter the hottest July day on record PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Manchester Hamza and Haris splash in the water feature beside the National Football Museum PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Derbyshire People play in the water at Hathersage Outdoor Swimming Pool PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Whitley Bay Sunrise at St Mary's Lighthouse PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Margate Families fish for crabs from a sea wall Getty Images UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Surrey People leap from a bridge at Taggs Island, near Hampton Court PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar London Ireland's players in a drinks break during the second day of the test match against England at Lord's AP UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar London People sunbathe in Hyde Park PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Manchester People splash in the fountains in Piccadilly Gardens PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Margate Families make their way to the beach Getty Images UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Cambridge People use umbrellas to shield from the sun as they punt along on the River Cam PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Brighton People enjoy the hot weather on the beach PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar London England's Jack Leach cools down with a towel in a drinks break AP UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Margate MARGATE, - JULY 25: Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine on July 25, 2019 in Margate, United Kingdom. The Met Office issued a weather warning from 3pm this afternoon. They warn that Britain could face up to 13 hours of electrical storms after temperatures could reach a record-breaking 39C. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Northumberland Kadie Lane, 10, cools off in the fountain at Alnwick Gardens. 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The UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday July 24, 2019. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Danny Lawson PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire Holidaymakers shelter under umbrellas on the South Beach,Tenby Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Lincolnshire A thunder storm passes over Holbeach St Marks wiker_1971/PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire Swimmers have fun in the sea on a giant inflatable Flamingo, South Beach Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Folkestone Sunbathers relax PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar West Yorkshire Yasmin Amindari plays with ball at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido in West Yorkshire as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 23, 2019. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Danny Lawson PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Kent Broadstairs beach PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire South Beach,Tenby Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Dog owners warned about heatstroke American Bulldog Finlay, receiving urgent cooling treatment at PDSA's Pet Hospital, after was left fighting for his life after his body temperature soared to a life-threatening 42.2C (108F) during recent hot weather PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Folkestone A couple, seen through heat haze PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Ilkley Freddie Ward jumps into the water at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido in West Yorkshire as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire North Beach,Tenby Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire A swimmer and paddlers are seen in the sea off South Beach,Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain, July 23, 2019. 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REUTERS/Rebecca Naden REBECCA NADEN REUTERS UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Oxford A lady takes a photograph in Oxford, as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 23, 2019. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Steve Parsons PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire A "Keep Calm" towel is pictured on the South Beach,Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain, July 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden REBECCA NADEN REUTERS UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Warwickshire People enjoy a trip in a boat along the river in Stratford Upon Avon PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Stratford Upon Avon People enjoy the sun along the river in Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, as temperatures are expected to rise across the UK this week. Jacob King PA

No “significant excess mortality” was observed during the first heatwave of the summer, between 28-30 June, PHE added.

The excess death figures are compared to the numbers that would be expected as per baseline mortality.

Elderly people, young children and those with long-term health conditions are most vulnerable to the effects of prolonged hot weather.

While the statistics body said a number of excess deaths were estimated to have occurred in the under-65s during the 2019 heatwaves, the figure was not considered statistically significant.

Emer O’Connell, head of extreme events and health protection at PHE, told the Press Association: “Parts of the country experienced exceptionally high temperatures during summer 2019 and we know that periods of hot weather can lead to increases in the number of deaths.

“These deaths were not confined to areas with the highest temperatures, as the hot weather affected people across the country, and highlight the importance of taking protective action even in places where the temperatures are less extreme.

“As our climate changes, hot spells are expected to be more frequent and more intense.

“PHE is responding to this risk by updating the Heatwave Plan for England with an adverse weather and health plan.”