The hot summer weather has prompted health officials to issue a series of warnings.

With temperatures in Cumbria reaching the mid-twenties yesterday and the sunshine set to continue, people are being reminded not to leave children or animals in locked vehicles, to wear suncream and to drink plenty of water.

However, public health officials are keen to highlight that the heat can bring another sort of problem as people head outside to enjoy picnics and barbecues.

The Food Standard Agency carried out a snapshot survey, which revealed that 10 per cent of people in the north west leave their food out for longer than the recommended two hours; 32 per cent carry food in bags or baskets rather than cool boxes; 29 per cent put leftovers back in the fridge hours later; and 29 per cent use them for a meal the next day - regardless of how long they have been left out.

Emma Brass, Eden Council’s principal environmental health officer for food safety, said: “These figures show there's more that people in north west of England could do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe this summer.

"That's why Eden Council is working with the Food Standards Agency to promote good hygiene practices during Food Safety Week (which runs until Saturday).

"This year the week aims to encourage better hygiene practices for summer, when the risk of getting food poisoning is greater.”