Regularly drinking beverages like tea and coffee at very hot temperatures increases the risk of cancer of the food pipe or gullet, known as oesophageal cancer, UK research suggests.

Researchers say the findings, from a study of nearly a million people, make this the largest to date to establish the link.

In the study, people who had their drinks “very hot” had around a three times higher risk of the cancer than “warm” tea or coffee drinkers - although experts stress the overall chances of developing this cancer are low.

Steaming hot liquid can damage the cell lining of the food pipe on the way down to the stomach.