Temperatures reached 28.4C in Cambridge, Heathrow and Cranwell, Lincolnshire according to the Met Office, beating the previous 2026 record of 26.6C observed in London on April 8.

New weather maps show temperatures soaring to 31C in London and the South East in just days, with at least 30 counties across Britain set to bask in glorious 28C heat

Met Office weather forecasters suggest parts of the UK could see 28C on Friday - which looks likely to be the hottest day of the year - but even warmer conditions may follow

Sunday could be the warmest May day on record, forecasters have said