Weekend rain may help to damp down forest fires

Intense storms predicted for this weekend could help put out wildfires across the country, forecasters said today.

Firefighters hope the torrential downpours could help them beat a series of large blazes.

Up to 200 firemen have been tackling the biggest at Swinley Forest, Berkshire, which began on Monday.

It is believed to have been started by a gang of 14-year-old boys, who were arrested on suspicion of arson after a film allegedly showing them throwing Molotov cocktails was posted on YouTube. They have been released on bail.

Temperatures in the capital could hit 25C tomorrow as a "Spanish plume" of warm air lingers over the country. However, the Met Office said London is also in line for heavy rainstorms and thunder.

Temperatures will be lower on Sunday as cooler winds arrive, but they will stay in the mid-20s - well above the seasonal average - early next week.