What a scorcher! Britain basks in sunshine

The next few days will see unseasonably good weather, however. Much of the country was enjoying temperatures of 24C today, well above the May average of 16C.

Tomorrow it will warmer again and predictions are that on Sunday the mercury will reach the dizzy heights of 27C in some parts.

The hottest places will be around the Midlands and the South East, while sea mists will keep coastal areas cooler.

Tom Tobler, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the good weather is the result of a band of high pressure which has settled above the country.

"It is keeping the air warm and the skies dry", he said, but he added that from Monday onwards it will be much cooler.