Police have issued a warning about the potentially fatal consequences of leaving animals in vehicles as a heatwave grips East Renfrewshire.

The plea was made on Twitter, where a spokesperson for the force said: "Please do not leave your pets in the car, even if only popping to the shops – cars heat up v quickly.

"The temp in a parked car, even in the shade with open windows, can rapidly reach a level high enough to seriously harm or kill your pet."

The warning comes as weather experts predict parts of Scotland could get close to a temperature record set 125 years ago.

To date, the hottest June day north of the border saw temperatures reach 32.2C (89.9F) at Ochtertyre, in Perth and Kinross, in 1893.

The Met Office said it is possible the mercury could soar above 30C again today.

Forecaster Bonnie Diamond said: "Temperatures could certainly rise to 30C in parts of western Scotland and 31C isn't out of the question.

"I think 32.2C is just a bit too high but it could come close."

The predictions come after temperatures soared to 31.3C in Aviemore yesterday afternoon, making it the hottest day since June 1995, when the mercury reached 31.5C in Renfrewshire.

Forecasters predict the areas inland and to the west will see the hottest temperatures as today progresses.

Ms Diamond said: "An average maximum temperature for Scotland for June is 15C, so we're almost double that