A football club is opening its clubhouse as a free, air-conditioned safe space during the heatwave.
Basingstoke Town Football Club is inviting anyone who needs relief from the heat to use its clubhouse from 12pm onwards on Wednesday, June 24.
This gesture follows the Met Office's red weather warning for extreme heat across large parts of southern England, including Basingstoke, with some places expected to reach up to 40°C.
Winklebury Sports Complex from above from Matt Rooks-Taylor's Our Town United: The Story of Basingstoke Town Football Club documentary (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)
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Temperatures in the town are forecast to peak at 36°C between 4pm and 7pm on June 24, with highs of 33°C at 9pm.
Humidity is also expected to remain high, raising the risk of heat-related health issues.
A statement from the club said: "With temperatures set to remain exceptionally high, we'll be opening the clubhouse from 12pm tomorrow as a cool, air-conditioned space for anyone in our community who would benefit from getting out of the heat."
The offer is open to everyone, with no obligation to buy anything.
The club said: "Whether you're an older resident, part of a care home group, working from home, a parent with young children, or simply looking for somewhere comfortable to spend a few hours, you're welcome."
The club said it decided to take action after receiving strong support from the community.
The statement continued: "When we asked the question, the response told us there was a genuine need.
"If we can help people stay comfortable during the hottest part of the day, then it feels like the right thing to do."
People are encouraged to share the offer with anyone who may benefit.
The Met Office has warned that the heatwave is likely to cause significant disruption to daily life and pose health impacts with maximum temperatures in the shade exceeding 37°C.
The heat will be accompanied by high humidity, which will make it feel even hotter and more uncomfortable, especially at night.
Very warm and humid nights will reduce the ability for people to recover overnight.
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