The Netherlands is gearing up for two days of very high temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, as the heatwave which has hit much of southern Europe spreads north.

The soaring temperatures have also led the organisers of the annual Nijmegen Vierdaagse, or four day march, to scrap the first day of the event on the advice of medical experts.

The organisers say they are expecting the warmest ever temperatures for the march on Tuesday. ‘It would be dangerous for the walkers to walk in such high temperatures, and would not be responsible towards the volunteers and medical teams either,’ a spokesman told broadcaster NOS.

On Monday, the temperature is set to reach at least 30 Celsius in most of the country and could be as high as 35 Celsius in the south.

On Tuesday, the KNMI weather bureau says it could be 39 Celsius in the far south, with very little wind.

By Wednesday it will be cooler with thunderstorms in places. The rest of the week there will be showers and sunny spells, with temperatures in the mid 20s.