Hundreds of Eurotunnel passengers face having to abandon their travel plans as the UK prepares for Furnace Friday.

The Cross-Channel rail operator said it had taken the "unprecedented decision to cancel daytrip/overnight tickets" for travel tomorrow after the extreme temperatures buckled air conditioning units on the trains.

Several carriages had to be taken out of service on Thursday due to the suffocating heat, causing five-and-a-half hour queues, and forecasters have warned that Friday could be even hotter.

It came as the MCC broke its strict dress code and said it would allow members to enter the pavilion at Lords Cricket Ground without a jacket for the first time in its history.

The announcement was made as England became became the hottest country in Europe as temperatures soared to 96F (36C) leading to widespread cancellations of summer outdoor events.