Hitchin heatwave: Priory School set to close on hottest day of the year as extreme temperatures hit

A Hitchin secondary school is set to close tomorrow lunchtime (Tuesday, July 19) as the heatwave continues.

The Priory School on Bedford Road will shut as with the mercury set to rise to 41C in some areas.

In a letter sent to parents, seen by Hitchin Nub News, the school wrote: "Due to the increased temperatures predicted for tomorrow, we have made the decision to close the school at 12.40pm that day.

"This will allow the students to return home prior to the very high temperatures expected in the afternoon. All the morning activities will run as normal."

The heatwave has already seen Hitchin Town push their game with Boreham Wood back 24 hours to Wednesday (July 20) as 'red risk to life' warning has been issued by the Met Office as fears rise over possible deaths due to the extreme heat.