Awkward tan line photos - one of the embarrassing downsides of a heatwave

It's officially a heatwave.

Water shortages have hit homes in the south east, leaving households with just a trickle dribbling from taps.

Gritters have been deployed in some areas to content with melting roads.

On Wednesday, Britain looked set to sizzle in the hottest June day for 176 years.

And, as much of Britain basks in glorious sunshine, social media has been filling up with photos of people showing off their tan lines.

Only about 14 per cent of men and 30 per cent of women report wearing sunscreen. Even when they do, they use around half what they need.

You need two milligrams of sun cream per centimetre squared of skin, says Dr Noor Almaani, consultant dermatologist at the King Edward VII NHS Hospital in Windsor and The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.

“Use about a teaspoon for the face and neck, six teaspoons for the whole body and about three to four teaspoons for a child,” she says.