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Hotter weather is set to bake the UK this week, according to the Met Office, with temperatures spiking this Thursday.

Conditions could hit a balmy 19C in London on Thursday, April 23, according to the latest forecasts, while temperatures rise across several other parts of the UK.

Consequently, everyone who needs to keep their house cool will be looking for ways to keep the heat out, which experts advise includes closing curtains when sunny weather comes back.

Because typical British homes are designed to retain heat for our generally mild climate and chilly winters,they are ill-prepared for extreme heat, quickly transforming into uncomfortably hot and humid sweat boxes.

Advice previously issued by energy supplier British Gas tells households how to reduce heat build-up in their homes by closing curtains during the day.

It says, in its advice on how to keep your house cool in hot weather: "Tempting as it might be to throw your windows open during a heatwave, leaving them shut when the day is at its hottest will keep the house cool. So try to only let the air in early or late in the day.

"Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you're thinking of updating yours - but keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in. Keep these closed during the day too to keep your house cool in summer."

British Gas also stresses that households can close and open doors tactically. It says: "If you're using a fan, closing off unused rooms during the day will keep the house cool in summer by focusing your cooling efforts where you'll feel them the most. Similarly, opening your doors in the evening will get the air flowing and stop your home feeling stuffy."

As well as keeping your house cool, keeping yourself cool is important. It adds: "Wear loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres like cotton and linen. Use an icepack, chilled hot water bottle or cold cloth on your wrists and feet for an instant cold hit. And if it's really stuffy inside, consider a dehumidifier. It'll pull the moisture out of the air and let your skin breathe better."

The Met Office forecast for Wednesday to Friday says: "Largely settled through mid week, but turning rather windy in the south. Cloudy at times along eastern coasts with an onshore breeze. Warming up in the west."

And looking ahead to the rest of April and early May, the sunshine is likely to continue. It adds: "High pressure is likely to be centred close to or across the UK through much of this period. So many places will be largely dry with clear or sunny periods. Colder air will try to push into the country from the north toward next weekend, but will probably only make limited progress into the northeast for a brief time, where it could bring a short-lived showery interlude, some of these wintry.

"Winds will be mostly light, but briefly stronger in the northeast as that colder air tries to come south. Temperatures will probably be near normal or slightly above for many, but with a risk of colder conditions affecting the north next weekend."