EAST Lancashire is today set to bask in glorious sunshine as forecasters predicted much of the country would enjoy the hottest weekend of the year so far.

Temperatures in some areas of England were expected to reach to 27C, comfortably exceeding parts of the Mediterranean.

The North West, Herefordshire and the West Midlands are tipped to enjoy the hottest weather.

In contrast, temperatures in Turkey's beach resorts were predicted to be less than 25C, the Greek Islands between 21 and 23C and parts of Italy 22-24C.

Matt Dobson, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It's getting warmer by the day.

"Some areas are going to be hotter than many of the Greek Islands, parts of Italy and Turkey.

"Resorts along Britain's west coast will have some of the warmest conditions. It is real BBQ weather, but there's not much breeze so it will be no good for kite flying."

Temperatures on Sunday were predicted to be even hotter across the southern half of the UK, with inland areas reaching 24 to 26C, London 27C and some spots forecast to climb to 28C.

The hot weather is the result of an area of high pressure moving up from the south, bringing with it warm air and strong sunshine.

However, the sunny conditions were not expected to last into next week and over the Bank Holiday.