Feeling hot, hot, hot! Norfolk experiences hottest day of the year with temperatures exceeding 27C

Temperatures reached a scorching 27.2C (81F) as Mediterranean winds brought the hottest April day on record since 1949.

Across the county, those fortunate enough not to be working took to the Broads, beaches and parks to bask in the glorious sunshine.

The conditions were a huge contrast to the chill of the Beast for the East, which brought some of the coldest temperatures on record for decades.

Phil Garner, from Weatherquest's forecasting team, said temperatures across the East were well above the average April daytime high of 13-14 degrees.

Mr Garner said we had balmy southerlies from the other side of Europe to thank for the lovely weather.

He said: 'We have southerly winds coming up over the continent from the Mediterranean. It has been warming up as it has come across the continent, and we're seeing the benefit of that.'

Rob Leigh, from the Broads Authority, said the warm spell boded well for a strong tourist season and a busy outdoors festival, which starts April 28.

He said: 'The yacht stations and the tourist information centres have said it's been getting a lot more lively over the past couple of days. In particular, Whitlingham Country Park has seen a lot of people out enjoying the weather.'

East Anglia's hottest spot was Santon Downham, near Thetford, which saw the mercury reach a sweltering 28C (82.4F).

The heat is forecast to continue throughout the week, with temperatures set to stay around the 23C (73.4F) mark until Sunday.