Doctors are warning vulnerable people to stay out of the sun during the hottest periods of the day as heat wave conditions continue to bake the South Hams.

The very young and the elderly are most at risk as temperatures continue to soar and are predicted to continue – even in to August.

And householders are being asked to help the area's wildlife to cope with the weather condition – even if that means just keeping your birdbath topped up.

As temperatures continued to soar into the high 70s doctors from the NHS western Devon clinical commissioning group said that it is now even more important that people take extra care and check that their loved ones and neighbours are coping with the heat.

Dr Prue Mitchell of the NHS commissioning group warned very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse and the main risks posed by a heat wave are dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

She said: 'Some of the danger signs to watch out for during hot weather include feeling faint and dizzy, shortness of breath and vomiting.

'I'd recommend keeping out of the sun when it is at its strongest, between 11am and 3pm and making sure you wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes and a hat.

'If you are likely to be out in the sun for a long period of time it's worth making sure you have plenty of cold drinks to hand and avoid drinking alcohol and too much caffeine to avoid dehydrating.

'Even if you're planning to stay at home you should try to make sure your living space is cool and this is especially important for young children and babies, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions.'

Similar warnings have been issued by Devon County Council which include using high factor sunscreen and staying in the shade wherever possible.

On the wildlife front Steve Hussey of the Devon Willdlife Tust warned that hot weather can put wildlife under stress as animals hunt for food.

He said: 'The effects of this long dry-spell will compound the stresses already placed on our wildlife by what was a very cold spring. That's why it is important that we all think about how we can lend the animals in our gardens a helping hand.'

He said people can make available a constant source of water in bird baths or saucers at ground level – and keep them topped up; let the grass grow to give grazing animals more to eat and provide shade for 'mini' beast'; leave out windfalls and ripe fruit to help garden birds, small mammals and insects; delay trimming hedges and keep ponds from drying out – using rainwater only.