Portugal, Spain boil as Europe swelters

Hot conditions are continuing across the UK and Europe with Spain and Portugal bearing the brunt of a hot air mass as it moves up from Africa.

Children cool off in Madrid as temperatures soar in Spain and Portugal and across Europe. (AAP)

Portugal and Spain are continuing to swelter as a heatwave sweeps Europe with red health alerts issued in Portugal as the mercury surpassed 46C over the weekend.

Temperatures have soared for more than half of Portugal with the hot conditions fuelling several wildfires burning in the country as a hot air mass moves north from Africa bringing with with it Sahara Desert dust.

Last week heat records in eight areas of Portugal were smashed, while Lisbon broke a 37-year-old record reaching 44C on Sunday.

In Spain, heat warnings were issued for 41 of the country's 50 provinces.

The stifling heat is being blamed for playing a part in the deaths of two men, one in Barcelona and the other in the southern Spanish region of Murcia, Spanish authorities say.

England is also wilting in the heatwave with two more days of hot conditions expected before conditions ease.

Temperatures are set to pass 30C in parts of the UK on Monday, reaching a possible 33C in London.

It follows a balmy weekend, with hundreds of sun-lovers flocking to beaches along the south coast and partying at Brighton's annual Pride event.