Britons get ready to make the most of 'barbecue weekend' as scorching weather continues

Met Office say temperatures over the weekend are likely to reach 26C

Supermarkets are stocking up on sausages and burgers, zoo animals are being given soothing ice lollies, and thousands are getting ready to head to the beach as Britons look set to enjoy the first barbecue weekend of the year.

After weeks of unseasonably wet weather sun worshippers flocked to parks and beaches yesterday as they basked in the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures soared to 28C (82.4F).

The good news from the Met Office today is that the good weather is set to continue over the weekend and into next week with temperatures remaining high.

Today much of Britain remained warmer than Barcelona as temperatures rose to match those on Thursday.

Yesterday saw a high temperature of 27.9C in Southampton with fine weather across the country.

Even Scotland enjoyed its share of sun with temperatures in Glasgow hitting a remarkable 27.3C.

The Met Office has forecast 'almost unbroken sunshine' over the weekend with the warm weather lasting into next week and only coming to an end with showers forecast for Tuesday.

The Met Office said temperatures over the weekend were likely to reach 26C in some areas with the general forecast for continuing warm weather across the UK.

Saturday should see temperatures of between 24C and 27C while Sunday is likely to be between 22C and 25C.

Charles Powell of the Met Office said the good weather would continue into the beginning of next week but,

"Monday and Tuesday will see cloud move into the UK with a risk of isolated showers in the North East, some of which could turn thundery on Tuesday".