HAMPSHIRE County Council have released their top tips for staying cool for the upcoming heatwave.

This comes after the Met Office issued a Level 3 Heatwave Alert for the South East Region today, meaning there is a 90 percent chance of a heatwave from until later in the week in Test Valley.

The top tips for keeping cool include keeping out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, walk in the shade when out in the heat and apply suncream.

Other tips include wearing light, loose-fitting cotton clothes and to turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment which generate heat.

Executive member for public health, Cllr Judith Grajewski, said: "It’s really important to look after yourself and those around you in a heatwave by following advice for protecting yourself, anyone you care for and people who are vulnerable to the heat.”

Those who are at higher risk of the heat include babies and very young children, older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Others who are more likely to be affected by the heat are those on medications which affect renal function, sweating or make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

The council also advises people who care for an elderly person to check on them daily, move them to the coolest room in the house and encourage them to have plenty of cold drinks.

Additional advice includes planning ahead to make sure there is enough food, water and medications to avoid shopping trips, using a water spray to keep skin cool or a fan to create an air current and closing the curtains.

When the air is hotter outside residents are advised to close windows.

Babies and young children should also be kept out of direct sunlight.

Parents are advised to attach a parasol to the pram or pushchair while going out into the sun and make sure children wear a hat with a wide brim or neck flap.