Britain Basks In Record October Heat

Britain has experienced the highest October temperature on record with RAF Finningley in Yorkshire feeling the heat at 30C at 3pm.

The previous record of 29.4C was set in Cambridge in 1985.

It is the second day of record breaking weather.

On Friday, temperatures of 29C set a new high for the end of September.

In Gravesend, Kent, the maximum temperature recorded was 29.6C at 3pm.

Wales also broke its October record, which had stood since 1985, when Hawarden
reached 28.2C shortly after 2pm.

The UK pipped Madrid at 26C as well as Ibiza and Majorca which were both reading 27C at 3pm.

Train companies said they were expecting 25% more passengers this weekend as people head to the coast to take advantage of the sunshine.

Officials in Brighton, where sunbathers had packed the beach, reported huge increases in visitor information inquiries.

Tourism councillor Geoffrey Bowden said the weather was a "welcome fillip" for the area which relies heavily on income from visitors.

The Royal Horticultural Society said the unexpected warmth had seen plants blooming which they hadn't expected to see again before next spring.

However the good weather has not reached everyone with reports of rain in Belfast and parts of Scotland.

After Saturday's peak, Sunday will be slightly cooler across England but temperatures are still likely to reach 26 or 27C.

Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England may even see some patchy rain.

Monday should remain warm, with temperatures starting to return to the expected levels for this time of year on Tuesday.