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Thousands of British sun-seekers travelling to Cyprus are being given extreme weather advice after temperatures reportedly rocketed to a scorching 57C.

It is so hot steering wheels have started to melt and people have been advised to remove newspapers from car dashboards for fear they will burst into flames.

While temperature-recording devices in the street hit a high of 57C, some said their car thermometers had reached 63°C in Nicosia, the capital of the divided island, when taking the outside reading.

Around the coast temperatures have exceeded 40C.

The UK Met office said the blistering heatwave that had been blazing over Syria, Iraq and Iran - and is now sweeping over the island - caused "very, very hot weather".

(Image: Facebook)

A spokesman said: "August is a hot month in Cyprus but temperatures will be hotter than usual because of the heatwave in the Middle East heading towards the Mediterranean.

"Obviously the temperature recorded would depend on where the thermometer was and may not be reflective of the whole island.

"This figure is certainly not outside the realms of possibility.”

Hilary Simons, senior specialist nurse at National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), said: “It’s important to remember that high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal conditions, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease.

"At very high temperatures even those who are normally in good health may be affected.

"The key message is follow public health advice on staying safe in the heat by staying cool, drinking lots of cold fluids and looking out for those who are most at risk.

(Image: Getty Images)

“If you or others feel unwell, move to a cool place as soon as possible, drink some water to rehydrate, and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or persist.”

On the the Turkish-controlled north authorities have banned outdoor work from noon until 4pm and the Physicians' Union have advised people not to go outside unless it is absolutely necessary.

Parts of the island have been hit by power cuts as a result of people running their air-conditioning units around the clock.

Calls have been made by civic groups to declare a state of emergency and air conditioned rooms are being laid on by municipalities for elderly people unable to cope with the heat.

Animal points have also been set up with water for stray animals and wildlife being threatened by the heat, and people are using cloths to avoid touching scalding hot door handles.

The Republic of Cyprus issued an orange alert as temperatures soared.

According to Turkish reports weather equipment had recorded the 57°C temperatures on road side monitors while the air temperature was 43°C.

Expat Benjamin Bailie, 32, who immigrated to Cyprus in 2008, said: “This hot wind coming through offers no relief in the shade and from about 8am to 8pm you won’t see anybody on foot on the streets of the capital.

“All of my friends from abroad over here are steering clear of the beaches until the sun goes down because most of them have already been sunburnt and dehydrated after just a short time on the sand.

(Image: Facebook / Karen Nedim)

“Leaving the air-conditioned office is like opening an oven door and the sand is too hot to stand on."

It is understood the authorities have issued guidance for people to avoid the beach and woodlands during the hours of peak sunshine.

Mum-of-one Natalie Haigh, 36, said: “My husband, Tad, and I have lived here for 10 years and never experienced this amount of heat before.

“Summers are always hot, but this is extreme.”

Kerem Hasan, 35, who moved to the island in 2006, said: "In all the years I have lived here, this is by far the hottest period I can remember.

"I have never seen anything like this in my life."

The hottest temperature previously recorded by the Cyprus Meteorological Department office was 45.6C on August 1, 2010.

Abta Travel Association said: "These are the temperatures you usually association with places like Iraq.

"We would advise people to avoid the beaches at midday when the sun is at it hottest. Watch what the locals do and spend lunchtime in the shade.

"It sounds obvious but drink lots of water, use your hotel's air conditioning and use a high factor suntan lotion."

The average August temperature for the country is 30C to 40C.

The Cyprus Meteorological Department has been contacted.

The UK Met office said it has little data for Cyprus but predicted temperatures would dip to mid to high 30s this week.

Recently in Iran the mercury has hit 74C - close to the highest ever recorded of 81C in Saudi Arabia in 2003 - along with fierce sandstorms.