Sun-seekers warned end of heatwave on horizon

Hundreds of visitors and residents were out on Scarborough’s South Bay beach to soak up the sun as traders reported a rise in business amid hopes the main tourism season is kicking in.

Richard Johnson, the general manager of The Golden Grid fish restaurant, said: “Hopefully this weekend has signalled the start of the tourism season. It is great to have some sunny weather. It puts a smile on everyone’s face, which is certainly something we all need at the moment.”

As thousands hit the country’s beaches to make the most of the fine weather, 70 people were cut off by the tide during a single incident in sun-soaked Blackpool yesterday. The Lancashire resort’s Beach Patrol and an RNLI lifeboat helped all those stranded near the South Pier to get safely back to shore.

And in Cleethorpes a search for a kitesurfer reported to be in difficulty yesterday afternoon was called off after the sighting turned out to be several balloons that had been launched as publicity for a local restaurant.

Forecasters from the Met Office confirmed yesterday that more unsettled weather will sweep across Yorkshire this week.

While the region is expected to enjoy periods of sunshine, it will become more overcast with traditional April showers arriving. Temperatures are expected to return to average April temperatures of between 10C and 13C after Yorkshire hit highs of 20C at the weekend.

Porthmadog, north Wales, recorded the UK’s highest temperature of the weekend, 22.5C, while holiday hot spots such as Ibiza reached just 20C.