WORCESTERSHIRE residents will continue to bake in summer like temperatures, as today could be the hottest day of the year so far.

Yesterday reached highs of 23C, but that is set to be beaten today as temperatures could reach 24C in some places, which may be hotter than Athens and Rome.

Warm air off the coast of Portugal has been dragged up towards the UK by an area of low pressure leading to the unseasonable weather, according to the Met Office.

The forecast is for a dry and sunny day, becoming really warm this afternoon, with light winds. It will stay warm into the evening, with temperatures dropping to 12C - around the average expected during April in the daytime.

Tomorrow will be a similar day, with a high of 21C. Saturday is also expected to be around 20C.

But Malvern-based Frank Hill, who worked for the Met Office for more than 40 years, said the mini heatwave is not expected to continue past the weekend.

"I have recorded a high of 23.8C, which is unusual for April," he said.

"Once we get the wind in the right direction, bringing the heat from the continent, you can get a transformation in temperatures.

"Saturday will still be warm but there is a risk of showers, and thunder.

"The weekend will see the weather change to more typical April weather though - cloudy and around 16C.

"Enjoy the heat while you can."

For a more detailed forecast visit the weather section of our website.