SWINDON may have enjoyed sunshine and high temperatures for the best part of the week, but the weekend is set to bring thunderstorms and heavy downpours.

A yellow weather warning has been issued for the region for tomorrow with heavy rain and the potential for localised flooding.

The expected thunderstorms have cast a cloud over the events scheduled to take place around the town over the weekend, including the Mechanics’ Trust Children’s Fete.

The fete, which usually attracts thousands of children to Faringdon Park, is still set to go ahead but people are urged to keep an eye on the weather forecast.

A spokesman for the event said: “We will see if it happens overnight on Friday.

“If it it still on its way Saturday morning, we will probably cancel.

“We’d recommend people to watch the forecast and plan to come if it passes by before about 10am.

“It takes a couple of hours to set up marquees for noon, or perhaps a 1pm opening.

“We don’t want to cancel after a terrific amount of work by a team pulling hard together across the town, but it’s safety first always, with children especially.”

A Met Office spokesmansaid: “Today will have a cloudy start, but cloud will lift and break then it will be a dry day with sunny spells. It will become very warm and feel humid, with thunderstorms likely overnight.

“On Saturday, torrential thundery showers are likely in places.

“There will be further showers on Sunday but less widespread than Saturday.”

As well as the thunderstorms, the Met Office has issued a heat-health alert for parts of the country as temperatures rise.

Night time temperatures, in particular, are also likely to be well above average, with some places seeing overnight temperatures of 20 Celsius.

Dr Paul Cosford, the director for health protection at Public Health England, said: “While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous.

“Older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it’s important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible.

“During the day take care in the sun, don’t over-exert yourself in heat, drink lots of cool fluids and keep an eye out for friends and neighbours.

“Also do what you can to minimise your risk of a sunburn and try to keep sleeping areas cool.”