Just in time: Sunshine arrives to salvage Bank Holiday weekend

Sunshine and dry skies arrived in the UK today, just in time to salvage the Bank Holiday weekend.

Temperatures peaked at 26C (78.8F) in parts of the south east, while other parts of England and Wales enjoyed highs of around 24C (75.2F). London saw temperatures of around 25C (77F).

While not quite the record-breaking highs reached last month, the warm weather was a vast improvement for those who have endured a weekend of heavy showers.

The warm and dry weather is expected to last throughout the week - good news for parents who are entertaining children in the final week of the summer holidays.

Those taking part in the Notting Hill Carnival were also fortunate to get the best of the country's weather.

The clear skies were particularly welcome in Essex today, which endured the worst of the torrential rain and flash floods.

Heavy flooding has caused major disruption in parts of the county over the weekend, with Essex Fire and Rescue answering more than 300 calls for help as the result of floods overnight.

More than three inches fell in Shoeburyness, while around one inch fell in London and across other parts of the east.

The sunshine will be good for residents of the Gloucestershire village of Bourton-on-the-water, who are today enjoying a special sporting event. Two teams have been playing each other in a football match staged in the River Windrush. The 30-minute match attracts hundreds of spectators each year.

The thousands of revellers enjoying the final day of the Manchester Pride weekend will be especially grateful for the good weather as the Met Office forecasts cloud and rain from Thursday onwards for the area.

Families in Tunbridge Wells in Kent were transported to the American Wild West for the second day of Cowboys and Indians at Groombridge Place, with plenty of outdoor activities.

Back in London, 111 people were arrested during the first day of the Carnival on Sunday, the BBC reported. The Metropolitan Police have said most of the arrests were for drugs offences.

Around 300 people were treated for cuts, bruises and alcohol related injuries according to ambulance personnel.

Councillor Nicholas Paget-Brown, leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council said: "When you think there are hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of Notting Hill the vast majority of them behaved well, had a good time and enjoyed the day.

"We're used to having a certain number of problems on both days of carnival, but I think by most years' measures yesterday must be seen as a good day."

Over one million people are expected to flock to West London for the annual event celebrating Caribbean culture, food, music and dance.