Temperatures hit 25C across Britain as we bask in another day of glorious sunshine... but make the most of it because the rain returns tomorrow
- Warmest day of the year so far, with top temperature of 24C in London - beating yesterday's high in Suffolk
- Gardeners at Chelsea Flower Show in London taking desperate measures to stop their prized plants wilting
- This week is expected to become more unsettled with thundery showers, but overnight it will stay warm
By MARK DUELL
PUBLISHED: 09:06 GMT, 18 May 2014 | UPDATED: 23:53 GMT, 18 May 2014
Britons were today enjoying another day of warm sunshine, with temperatures soaring higher than in Greece and Italy.
Forecasters expected the mercury to rise as high as 25C (77F) in south-east England, while in Rome and Athens it was said to be in the low 20s.
By 3pm today, the temperature had reached 24C (75.2F) in London - beating yesterday's year-high of 23.9C (74.7F) in Santon Downham, Suffolk.
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Famous view: Sun-seekers headed to Brighton beach in East Sussex today as the sun shone down on the South-East and other parts of Britain
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Covering their faces: Sunbathers lay on the beach in Margate, Kent. Much of Britain has enjoyed warm and sunny weather today
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South coast: Some of the crowds enjoying the fine spring weather on Brighton beach in East Sussex
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Eye protection: A cool-looking piglet enjoys the sizzling heat at Manor Farm and Country Park in Southampton, Hampshire
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On the beach: Dancers Rebecca Batchelor, 18, and Sophie-May Lambert, 20, enjoy the hot weather today at Thorpe Bay beach in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
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Soaking up the rays: Two women enjoy the sun on Brighton beach in East Sussex as the hot weather continued in Britain today
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Keeping cool: Laura Jervis, two, from St John's in Worcester, plays in the fountains beside the River Severn
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Relaxing: Dance instructor Sophie Louise Martin, 23, of Hertfordshire, enjoys an ice cream on Southend seafront in Essex today
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Busy: People enjoy the hot weather at St Andrews Park in Bristol, as temperatures remain high across Britain
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Egg-cellent idea: On what is the hottest weekend of the year, this chicken keeps cool under the shade of an umbrella in the South of England
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Packed: Fine weather at Porthcawl beach in Mid-Glamorgan, South Wales, as day-trippers head to the seaside
Britons were today flocking to parks and beaches in a similar vein to yesterday - seeking to make the most of the fine weather.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to Bournemouth, Dorset - where most of the 200 hotels were near capacity, with many displaying 'no vacancy' signs.
Local resident Julie Smith was making the most of the fine weather on the beach with her husband Mark and children Paul, seven, and Alice, five.
Seaside staff hired out almost all of the 3,000 deckchairs and ice cream vendors were trying their best to cope with 10-minute queues.
Bookmakers Ladbrokes slashed its odds to 4/7 that it will reach 26C (80F) today, while it is offering 8/1 on May becoming the hottest on record.
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Helen Elks Smith waters and covers the plants to protect from the sunlight during the preparations for the opening day at Chelsea Flower Show
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Eleanor Nicholson, seven, stands amongst one of Britain's most spectacular bluebell displays, across the Rannerdale Valley floor in the Lake District
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Around we go: People enjoying the hot weather on a ride at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle
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Paddling: Evie (left) and Sophie Williams (right) enjoy the fine weather in the sea at Porthcawl beach in Wales
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Going outside: People enjoy the hot weather at Portishead Open Air Pool in Somerset, as the UK experiences continuing high temperatures
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In the water: Miss Batchelor, from Essex, and Miss Lambert, from Hampshire, make a splash on Thorpe Bay beach
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Nice day for it: People take full advantage of the sunny weekend weather by punting along the River Cam in Cambridge
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Glorious day: Sam Davies 10, from Norton in Worcester, enjoys an ice cream beside the River Severn
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Bright: A woman carrying a paddle board across Hove beach in East Sussex is silhouetted in the spring sunshine this morning
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Water: Five-year old Owen Jervis (left) plays in the fountains beside the River Severn in Worcester, while three children sit down on Bournemouth beach (right) in Dorset
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Shade: A dog wears sunglasses as people enjoy the hot weather in St Andrews Park in Bristol, as temperatures remain high across the UK
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Child's play: Amelia (left) and Madison Luck (right) in the sea in Margate, Kent. Much of Britain was enjoying warm and sunny weather today
Gardeners at the Chelsea Flower Show faced a battle to stop their blooms wilting ahead of the Queen’s annual visit today.
Many took to covering plants, particularly peonies and irises, in muslin to keep off the rays. Others tied up their flowers and watered them repeatedly to stop them opening too early.
The baking temperatures left gardeners at the London show – which opens this week – more than a little hot under the collar. Andrew Wilson, 55, who designed a wine-themed garden costing tens of thousands of pounds, said: ‘Last year it was freezing and this year it’s too hot. My irises have started to go over. I’ll have to substitute some of them with roses.’
Elizabetta Clementel, who has designed a garden for Country Life magazine, said she was worried about whether her Irises would hold out. The 55-year-old, from Spain, added: ‘It’s a bit of a panic but we’ll do our best.’
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Bikini weather: Leah Shaw and Lisa Johansson sunbathe at Portishead Open Air Pool in Somerset
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By the river: Natalie Tompkins relaxes next to the Thames with her horse Cair Paravel during the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle
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Beautiful scenery: Derek Wormald from Rochdale Triathlon Club cools off in the warm waters of Derwentwater near Keswick in the Lake District
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Wetsuit: A surfer makes the most of the fine weather at Porthcawl beach in Wales
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Pleasant: A boat travels along the River Severn in Worcester, as Britons flock to parks and beaches today
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Punting along the River Cam: Forecasters said the mercury is expected to rise as high as 25C (77F) in south-east England today
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River Cam: Most of the country will bask in glorious sunshine and enjoy the hottest weekend of the year so far, with temperatures set to soar to 25C
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Going for a stroll: Walkers beside the River Severn in Worcester make the most of the beautiful weather today
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Park life: People enjoying the hot weather at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle in Berkshire