As Britain basks in sunshine, why heatwaves and malaria 'could kill thousands within five years'

A report said there was a "high risk" of a dangerously hot summer within five years that could kill 6,000 people.

But these would be more than offset by milder winters leading to fewer deaths from the cold, currently 20,000 a year.

Many areas yesterday had an almost completely sunny day, with Trawscoed in Ceredigion seeing the highest temperature of 18c (65f), similar to June and more than twice the norm of 7c (45f).

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Spring in February? Blooming daffodils under today's beautiful blue sky on Plymouth Hoe in Devon

The report, by the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency, looked at the way Britain has responded to rising temperatures since the Seventies.

Despite warmer summers from 1971 to 2003, the number of heat-related deaths stayed the same. However, winter deaths fell by 3 per cent as temperatures rose.

There is a one in 40 chance that by 2012 the South East will have a heatwave that could cause 3,000 immediate deaths and 3,000 more later, it said.

Air pollution could fall thanks to regulations, but ozone levels may go up, aggravating breathing difficulties for those with asthma and other lung diseases and leading to 1,500 extra hospital admissions and deaths a year.

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People enjoying a lunch-time drink on Brighton Marina today

Heat haze: Manchester is blurred in the background yesterday by the heat

While malaria outbreaks are likely to be rare, health authorities will need to be alert to outbreaks on the Continent.

Warmer weather is likely to cause an increase in food poisoning.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said "The UK Government is leading the way in persuading the world that we must all turn our attention to the health effects of climate change - the World Health Organisation recently congratulated us for winning over other countries.

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Early bloom: Daffodils in their full glory yesterday in Harrogate, North Yorkshire

"Climate change is accepted as a reality and this report shows specifically how this may impact on the nation's health.

"We are taking these risks very seriously and have already set plans in motion.

"Our Heatwave Plan, launched every summer, raises awareness of the risks relating to severe hot weather and what preparations both individuals and organisations should make to reduce those risks.

"We continually work with other agencies and departments to ensure improved resilience of patient services, including NHS infrastructure and health supply chains, and the preparedness of the service to respond to major flooding incidents."