Hottest ever start to May as temperatures hit 28C

A new record was set for the hottest start to any May on record on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 28C (82.4F) in London.

That high, which was recorded at Kew Gardens shortly after 13:00 BST, beat the previous record of 27.4C (81.3F), which was set in Lossiemouth, Scotland, in 1990.

Much of the UK basked in heat well above the average for the time of year, though conditions were cooler in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The spell of hot weather was triggered by an area of high pressure which had become blocked over the UK, leading to a sustained south-easterly air flow bringing warm conditions.

• LIVE: Temperatures soar across England - follow live

Thursday was also the hottest day of the year so far, beating the previous high of 26.7C recorded in Wisley, Surrey earlier this week.

While not expected to hit the same sort of peaks as Thursday, temperatures are on course to remain high for many on Friday.

However, conditions are forecast to return to closer to seasonal averages across the Bank Holiday weekend.

Temperatures are expected to reach the low twenties in the south of England, with highs only reaching the mid-teens further north and in Scotland.

It looks set to remain dry for the vast majority of the UK across the Bank Holiday weekend.