Recent news pictures of Brits sunning themselves by the seaside or in parks during the heatwave shocked me.

None of those I could see were wearing a hat.

In Australia and for ‘ex-pats’ in Africa the safety code for hot weather is simple: suncream, sunglasses, and large-brimmed sunhat.

Keep out of the midday sun, drink plenty of water and if one has to go out in the hottest part of the day walk in the shade.

The large-brimmed sunhat, by protecting the head and neck with extra shade for eyes, helps to prevent heatstroke.

Recently, shopping in York, I saw only one person wearing a large-brimmed straw sunhat.

Everyone else was bareheaded and burning.

Patrcia Palaeologina,

Windsor Garth,

Acomb, York