Britain enjoys warmest day of the year

Britain enjoyed the warmest day of the year today, with forecasters predicting Mediterranean temperatures for the weekend.

Record temperatures reached 22C (72F) by early afternoon - higher than Malta, Athens and Barcelona.

April usually struggles to get above 12C (54F) but after the driest March in more than a century, temperatures have shot up.

Even normally chilly Aberdeen in Scotland managed 20C (68F).

Meteorologists predict that the country will see a dip of a few degrees in the next few days before climbing back up to the low 20s by the weekend.

Those heading to the beach to soak up the heat are advised to bring sunscreen, with a bright and sunny day forecast.

Forecaster Michael Dukes, of MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "This is the first day we have broken 70F and today's temperatures will feel a lot like summer in parts.

"The weekend will be much warmer than recent years, which will be very welcome after one of the coldest winters on record.

"Some western areas will see light rain on Sunday afternoon, but much of the country will enjoy the warm air coming from Spain and France."

The highest recorded April temperature stands at 29.4C (85C), while on the same day last year the country saw maximums of just 15C (59F).

But there is good news for the 36,000 London marathon runners, as temperatures are expected to drop again by race day on Sunday week, April 17.