Brits enjoy hottest day of the year

Britons flocked to parks and beaches today (May 17) as the hottest temperature of the year so far was recorded.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th May 2014, 17:58 BST

The mercury rose to 23.9C (74.66F) in Santon Downham in Suffolk, beating yesterday’s high of 23.7C (75.02F) recorded in Pershore College in Worcestershire.

Forecasters said tomorrow could be even warmer and reach 25C (77F), with bookmakers slashing their odds to just 4/7 that it will reach 26C (80F).

Ladbrokes is also offering odds of 8/1 on May becoming the hottest on record.

A Met Office spokesman said: “It’s been a story of two halves today. England and Wales have been warm and dry but Scotland and Northern Ireland have seen rain.

“It’s likely to be a similar picture tomorrow and it could possibly reach 25C in the South East.”

Next week will become more unsettled with thundery showers anticipated all over the country although overnight temperatures are expected to stay warm.