FORECASTS of the first summer weather this weekend have prompted a reminder about simple but effective measures for people to keep safe in the sun.

Each year Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) attends many incidents where people are suffering from severe sunburn, heat exhaustion and dehydration.

In recent days, GWAS crews have also seen an increase in the number of 999 calls they have attended linked to conditions such as asthma and hayfever and other allergies, which can be made worse by a sudden rise in temperatures.

Paramedic clinical adviser for GWAS, Victoria O’Leary said: “We certainly don’t want people to stop enjoying the hot weather but every year we are called to treat patients who could have avoided having to dial 999.”