This summer could be the hottest on record, the Met Office has said.

It will “certainly rank in the top 10 warmest summers on record” if the “remarkable” temperatures continue, the national weather service added.

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But the long spell of hot weather “could well be record breaking” if above average temperatures continue.

The daily maximum temperature so far has been 20.9C, while the hottest summer on record in 1976 saw an average daily maximum of 21C.

It has also been the driest start to summer in modern records, which date back to 1961, with just 47mm of rain so far this summer (from 1 June to 16 July).

Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Show all 15 1 /15 Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show of the old garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire Lancashire Council / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire which was taken out in the 1940's but can now be seen again through the parched grass Lancashire Council / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Remnants of WWII Air raid shelters on Jesus Green in Cambridge show up in the parched grass SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old crop marks in Norfolk show up Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Info showing how crop marks are made SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old parts of RAF Lasham's airfield show up in the parched grass in Hampshire Jordan Bridge / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks near Langstone, Newport RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show in Tregaron, Wales RCAHMW/SWNS Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Remnants of Caistor Roman town in Norfolk Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Penllwyn Roman fort in Ceregigion, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show in Tregaron, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old parts of RAF Lasham's airfield Jordan Bridge / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Roman site near Magor, South Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old crop marks in Norfolk Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Cross Oak hill fort in Talybont, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com

If the rest of this summer were average, it could make it into the top 10 driest summers of all time, the Met Office said.

“A natural reduction in river flows and groundwater levels at this time of year is to be expected, and water companies plan for these summer months,” Paul Hickey, deputy director and head of water resources for the Environment Agency, said on the Met Office’s blog.

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He said the summer had started “with river flow and groundwaters at normal levels in most areas”, but urged everyone to follow their water company’s advice on saving water and urged the public to “use water wisely.”

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He added: “At this time of year the Environment Agency is always ready to respond to pressure on rivers caused by low flows, and we continue to monitor the situation.”

The Met Office also said if the rest of the summer was average, it could be one of the top five on record. However, it cautioned: “It is important to remember we are only half way through the season, and a lot can change.”

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Millions of people in northern England are about to be hit with a hosepipe ban as the hot, dry weather continues.

The United Utilities weather company said the temporary ban on garden hoses or sprinklers, which will affect seven million domestic customers, will help “safeguard essential water supplies for longer.”