Easter temperatures hit record high, as chocolate eggs bear the brunt of the hot weather

Sweltering Easter Sunday temperatures today saw people flock to the nation's parks and beaches proved to be the warmest on record across Britain - but only if you spent the day away from England.

While the mercury rose to unprecedented levels in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for an Easter Sunday, temperatures in England fell short of being the hottest in history by a mere 0.3C.

As millions made the most of the unseasonable warmth, the weather provided a challenge for those enjoying one of Easter's most treasured staples, with chocolate eggs wilting amid the heat.

In London, retailers were forced to shut their blinds to prevent window displays stuffed with chocolate from melting, while social media lamented the baking conditions which softened their eggs on trains and in cars.

However, Islington-based chocolatier Paul Young told The Telegraph the barbecue-style weather didn't have an adverse impact on sales.

Elsewhere, the dry conditions led to concerns wildfires could spread across Yorkshire and north-west England, with a moderate risk affecting land in Wales and south-west England.

A helicopter was scrambled this afternoon to drop tonnes of water onto smouldering moorland at Ilkley Moor after 100 firefighters tackled a blaze at its height on Saturday amid hot conditions.

Britain's warm Easter, which came after a "Greek plume" swept in from the Mediterranean, has seen a set of records tumble.

Conditions were in "stark contrast" to Spain and the Mediterranean which saw Easter marked with showers and torrential downpours.

In Northern Ireland, temperatures rose to 20.7C in Helen's Bay by 2pm, surpassing a 90-year record dating back to 1924 when 19.4C was reached in Armagh.

While in Scotland, 22.8C was recorded in Edinburgh, beating a previous high of 20.7C in Aboyne measured in 2015.

And in Wales, the mercury reached  23C in Trawsgoed, breaking the previous record set in 1984 when 21.6C was enjoyed by residents in Brynamman.

However, temperatures in England fell just short of the 25.3C experienced in the Solent in 2011 as the mercury peaked at 25C by 3pm.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "We have got high pressure moving at the moment giving most of the UK a lot of fine weather, this combined with the fact that the high pressure has dominated for the past few days is allowing the temperatures to heat and build.

"It is allowing some record breaking temperatures to be set today and potentially tomorrow as we are looking at a high of up to 26C."

The Met Office suggested the warmer temperatures may have been aided by a later Easter this year

"The later in the year that Easter falls, the higher the sun is in the sky and the stronger it is," added Mr Petagna.

While Easter Monday promises to bring more scorching temperatures, the country's spell of glorious weather faces an abrupt halt on Tuesday.

Forecasters warned thundery downpours could hit southern parts on Tuesday, with further rain predicted in the Midlands on Wednesday.

The sudden change will also result in temperatures cooling across the country.