Hottest day of the year so far

Londoners basked in the sunshine today as the capital experienced the highest temperatures so far this year. In London it reached 26C (79F), while the Midlands was even warmer - 27C (81F). The weather is expected to be even better tomorrow.

However, those who were thinking of getting the barbecue out over the weekend may want to think again. A spokesman for the London Weather Centre said: " Thunderstor ms will be approaching the South West tonight and there will be heavy downpours there tomorrow.

"This wet weather will reach us by Friday night, when we may see storms, and by Saturday it won't be good barbecue weather."

But the sun will be out again on Sunday. The spokesman said: "It won't look promising to start with, but it will remain dry. Temperatures should stay at a respectable 21C (70F)."

? There has been 10 per cent less than average rain in London and the South East in the first four months of the year, according to forecaster Philip Eden.