Doubtless very few people will be contemplating going for a jog with their dog in the sweltering heat this weekend, but just in case you were: vets have warned that this is a bad idea.

　　Most of us will be thinking of nothing more than enjoying the blazing weeeknd sun with a picnic, an icecream, a paddling pool or maybe a deckchair on the beach.

　　However, energetic dog owners might be tempted to don lycra and pick up the dog lead in temperatures that are set to be hotter than the Sahara - up to 78.8F (26C).

　　Fearful that this could cause the animals to overheat, vets yesterday issued a warning that jogging alongside your dog in the sunshine could be bad for the animal's health.

　　'It is up to the owner to stop the animal before it suffers,' said Harvey Locke, president of the British Veterinary Association.

　　The searing heat saw parts of Britain bask in the highest temperatures for six weeks yesterday. Temperatures at Solent, Hants, peaked at 78.6F (25.9C), while much of the rest of the country sizzled at around 73F (23C).

　　But Arctic winds are forecast to bring a rather chillier few days in the north, where fierce winds will see temperatures plunge to around 53F (12C).

　　Mediterranean holiday destinations including Tenerife, Barcelona and the Cote d’Azur are due to suffer heavy rain, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures this weekend.

　　The popular Egyptian tourist destination of Sharm el Sheikh, frequented by scuba divers, will also see thundery showers. It will be hit throughout the weekend with temperatures lower than ours.

　　Families who chose to remain at home rather than go abroad for the school holiday will be relieved that the warm dry spell has continued.