HEAT WAVE
A man sunbathes under a t-shirt on Brighton beach, Southern England. Reuters

Britain is set for temperatures not seen since the 18th century, as climate change drives up the mercury across the country.

According to researchers for the world's oldest temperature measurement, the Central England Temperature (CET) record, the UK has a 75% chance of hitting 250-year temperature highs in 2014.

Meteorologists have said that in the 11 months from January to November this year, temperatures have risen above the long term average every month except August, as per the CET, which measures the temperatures in a triangular area between Bristol, London and Lancashire.

Researchers say that if December follows in line with the above trend, then 2014 will be the hottest on record.

Britain's Met Office will publish full figures later on 3 December.

Climate Change