Warmer weather is set to arrive on Wednesday after making its way to the UK from the Azores.

Sky weather presenter Kirsty McCabe predicts the mercury will rise into the mid to high-20s for many areas and could top 30C in central and southern Britain by the weekend.

That would be nearly double the usual average of 17C for the time of year.

“Southern and central parts will have the highest temperatures but there is a risk of wind and rain further north,” she said.

“The hot spell will continue into next week, but later in the week it will become more unsettled.”

The best of the warm weather is unlikely to reach Scotland and the North from the weekend onwards.

London and the South will also have warm, sticky nights this week, with 13C (55F) predicted for Friday overnight and 18C (64F) overnight on Saturday.