A PAVEMENT in Edinburgh has buckled under the sweltering heat as "blowtorch" temperatures soar across Scotland.

An alert warning of a risk to babies and the elderly was issued this morning as the UK is set for a killer heatwave hotter than the Sahara Desert this week.

2 The heat has affected pavements in Edinburgh Credit: Twitter/Gordon Munro

Scotland and the rest of Britain is likely to see the hottest day of the year on Thursday with temperatures skyrocketing.

And the sizzling temperatures are already causing havoc in the capital.

Gordon Munro, councillor for the city's Leith ward, shared a snap of the pavement at Newkirkgate Shopping Centre warped and breaking up.

Writing on Twitter, he said: "Live news - it's so hot in Leith the pavement in the Kirkgate is buckling!"

2 The temperature is expected to soar on Tuesday Credit: Weather.us

The Met Office has already issued a level two health alert because there is an 80 per cent chance of “heatwave conditions”.

Remarkably, it will mean the UK will be hotter than the Sahara with temperatures expected to stay under 30C in North Africa this week.

Public health officials down south warned the public that Brits need to ensure they drink “plenty of water” this week and reminded football fans that alcoholic drinks make you more dehydrated.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: “It's a notable event and could be intense. Some people will enjoy it – but some won't.

“A very prolonged spell of hot weather is starting. Wednesday and Thursday could nudge into the 30s in Scotland.”

We told earlier how Apple is warning iPhone owners to make sure their handsets don't get too hit in the heatwave - or risk damaging them forever.

The electronics giant warns that letting your iPhone temperature rise too high could “permanently shorten battery life”.

Scotland set for strong sunshine and will be very warm but cloudy in the north