By Thursday, parts of the country could be basking in 24C (75.2F) or 25C heat, according to the Met Office.

That would beat the UK's current temperature high for the year - the 23.3C recorded at Porthmadog in Wales on Sunday.

It would also beat Malaga, the capital of Spain's Costa del Sol, where the mercury is forecast to hover around 23C.

Thursday's temperature highs are expected to be felt in parts of east Wales, the West Midlands and the South West.

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The sunshine will follow what the Met Office termed a "notably dull" spring.

Sunshine hours for the season lagged behind the average and England had its wettest March in 40 years.

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The sunnier weather is thanks to high pressure that continues to dominate the UK - and the current signal is for this to continue through next week too, Met Office spokesman Oliver Claydon said.

"This means lots of settled weather for many, with dry sunny conditions," he said.

The Met Office said the coming hot weather was not due to a "plume of intense heat" from southern Europe or North Africa but was instead "home grown".

"Clear skies will allow more of the May sunshine to reach ground level, gradually raising temperatures to expected highs of 25°C for a day or two."

The North West could see spells of cloud and light rain but they will quickly dissolve, he added.

Looking ahead to mid-June, temperatures are expected to stay above average but there could be some thundery showers and extended periods of rain.