Britain basks in autumn heatwave

Temperatures across the UK have soared in recent days, bringing some long overdue warmth into the lives of Brits.

Some forecasters predicted an Indian summer at the start of this month, and although it looks unlikely that temperatures over the next few days will break any records, the warm weather is helping to make up for a dismal summer.

Most parts of England and Wales have experienced highs of 20C over the past two days and temperatures in parts of the South East are expected to reach 27C today. The current record temperature for September was 35.6C, which was set in 1906. 

Sun worshippers were quick to grab their swimming trunks and bikinis and head to the coast to make the most of the unseasonably warm weather.

According to the BBC's weather service, the high temperatures are set to continue into the weekend across England and Wales, although rain is expected in Northern Ireland and Scotland. And the UK as a whole will experience an early winter according to some forecasters.

Speaking last week, James Madden, of Exacta Weather said: "I expect to see the first signs of some moderate to heavy snow falls as early as October or November in certain parts of the UK."