Spring has finally sprung as cold winter is over

The coldest winter for more than 30 years could finally be over.

As London enjoyed a perfect spring day, the Met Office said a return to the freezing temperatures of the long, cold winter was unlikely.

Although spring does not officially start until 21 March, forecasters say the fine weather should continue.

"It's been a lovely few days in the south, and that is going to continue, barring some rain on Thursday," said Barry Grommett of the Met Office.

Temperatures today are expected to reach 14C and are likely to stay at a similar level for the rest of the week.

"Hopefully we've seen the last of the freezing temperatures, and it is unlikely we will see more cold winds from the east," said Mr Grommett.

Freezing winds from Eastern Europe brought an average winter temperature of 1.51C, the coldest since 1978-9. The lowest temperature was in Altnaharra, 50 miles south-west of John O' Groats, at -22.3C. The coldest winter since records began in 1914 was in 1962-63, when the average was -0.18C.