Soaking up the sun in the park

Sun worshippers have been out in force as temperatures topped those recorded in some tourist hot-spots like Tenerife and Crete.

The mini heatwave, which has seen thousands flocking to parks and the seaside, is forecast to continue until Sunday, with temperatures expected to creep up into the 80s.

Large swathes of the country were enjoying bright sunshine on Thursday with a high of 26C (79F), while several southern European holiday destinations made do with a paltry 18C (64F)

The temperature in London had already reached 22C (72F) by 11am, and coastal areas, including Norwich, soon followed suit.

This is well above the average for late May, which is 19C (66F).

Pollen

But the warmer weather will mean misery for many hayfever sufferers as the pollen count soars.

Friday will see more cloudy weather in the northwest with a liittle rain, but it will be another dry, sunny day in most parts of the southern half of the country.