The heat may have increased death rates

Figures from the Office of National Statistics suggest that there were many more deaths than expected in the week ending August 15.

During this week, temperatures were consistently high, breaking the 100 degree barrier on one day.

However, experts say it is likely that at least some of the 907 "extra" deaths would be due to the heat.

The situation was far worse in France, where as many as 10,000 people may have died as a result of stifling heat.

The UK Department of Health said that it was aware of an increase in demand for treatment in some areas of the NHS during the week - but that the health service had coped.

A spokesman said: "Some ambulance services had quite a lot of extra calls at the time and a lot were able to deal with the problems at the scene."

Older people are especially vulnerable to the effects of the heat, which may increase the impact of existing health problems.

Big jump

In all, there were a total of 10,132 deaths recorded in the week ending August 15.

The five-year average for the same week in August is just 9225, a difference of 907.

The previous week had seen just over 9300 deaths.

However, weekly totals often vary by 500 or so deaths either side of the average for no particular reason, so there is no certainty that all the excess deaths are due to heat.

Unexpected

However, the ONS statistician, Peter Goldblatt, said that it was likely.

He said: "On previous experience, we would expect some correlation but it is difficult to say at this stage how much of that increase is down to the weather."

The ONS does not officially gather information about "heat-related" deaths - as it is hard to define whether a heart attack, for example, was due to the heat or not.