Autumn heatwave set to be a record breaker

Britain is set to sizzle again today as forecasters predicted record-breaking temperatures will bake the country.

The hottest September 29 was recorded in York in 1895 when the mercury peaked at 27.8C (82F), and meteorologists think the record could be broken during the unusual mini-heatwave.

The balmy conditions are set to continue into the weekend, which is likely to see many sun-seekers heading to parks, rivers and coastal areas.

The unseasonably warm weather is more than 10C (50F) higher than the average temperature for the end of September.

Paul Mott, meteorologist for MeteoGroup, said: "We are still on for some exceptionally warm weather until Sunday.

"Temperatures today will probably reach 28C (82.4F) over the London area. Central and eastern England could reach up to 27C (80.6F), so it is very warm indeed.

"That is a good 10C (50F) to 11C (51.8F) warmer than what we would expect for this time of year."

The hottest place in Britain yesterday was St Helier, in Jersey, where the heat soared to 27.3C (81.1F).