The mercury is set to rocket to an all-time high of 50C on the Continent with plumes of intense heat from Spain’s “furnace” set to scorch the UK.

After a welcome weekend of rain and thunderstorms across the country, the heatwave is set to make a comeback with this year’s summer set to eclipse the record temperatures in 1976.

African air blowing north prompted the Met Office to warn Brits sunning themselves on beaches in Spain and Portugal how Europe’s temperature record is “likely” to be smashed.

The record is 48.0C, set on July 10, 1977 in Athens, Greece, World Meteorological Organization records show.

Spain's record is 47.3C, set in 2017, while Portugal's is 47.4C, set in 2003.

Dramatic weather images show Spain’s “furnace” heat travelling north to Britain, bringing temperatures in the “low 30s” from Friday – with 40C expected in neighbouring France.

This Friday could match last Friday’s 34C high, with the heat set to intensify after the weekend, according to the Weather Outlook.

It would beat the 35C temperatures seen last Thursday, the hottest day in three years here.

Bookies Coral have slashed the odds on the hottest August ever from 5/4, as a spokesperson dubbed 2018 as having a “never-ending summer”.

Meanwhile Ladbrokes cut odds to evens on August highs beating Britain's 38.5C (101.3F) record, set on August 10, 2003, at Brogdale, Kent.

Met Office forecaster Richard Miles said: "With 48C expected in Iberia, highs are likely to beat records.

“Tourists in Spain and Portugal clearly need to take care in such high temperatures.

"Continental heat will move up to Britain from the south. The low 30s are possible from Friday to Sunday.

"The South and East will be hottest and it will be a warm weekend for most, although cooler in the North."

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze added: "Record-breaking heat in Spain and Portugal is forecast to approach 50C.

"In Britain, Friday could be as hot as last Friday, with 34C not out of the question.

"Then, as furnace heat over Spain moves northwards over the weekend, computer models indicate temperatures in southern England rising to 36C."