A SIZZLING weekend saw people enjoying a whole host of activities in the blazing sunshine - including a scarecrow competition!

The mercury hit a scorching 24C (75F) yesterday, according to Evening News weatherman Paul Damari - making Worcester as warm as Majorca and giving residents their warmest day yet this year.

And it is not over yet. We can expect a warm and dry week right up until Friday.

"The weekend was quite nice to say the least!" said Mr Damari. "Sunday was the warmest day so far this year."

Saturday was also warm in Worcester, reaching 22C (72F), and most of the rest of England and Wales also basked in warm weather and temperatures over the weekend.

Mr Damari said the week ahead in Worcester was going to be sunny, warm and dry.

"This week's going to stay mainly fair so for holidaymakers and farmers it's going to be a good week - dry with some warm sunshine.

"We can expect temperatures of 20C to 23C (68F to 73F) this week, but later in the week it will get a little cooler.

"On Thursday and Friday temperatures are coming down to 15C to 17C (59F to 63F)."

The sunshine, however, did not bode well for a scarecrow competition, which took place at Gwillams Farm Shop, in Claines, near Worcester, on Saturday.

A lack of entries has meant the challenge is still on for schoolchildren in the area to come up with the best scarecrow.

For more information phone Julie Gwillam on 01905 756490.