East Anglia is now basking in the most prolonged period of warm and dry weather since 2006, forecasters have said.

Not for seven years have Suffolk and north Essex experienced such an extended hot and sunny spell.

And experts at Norwich-based Weatherquest have said the glorious sunshine will remain in force throughout the weekend and well into next week.

Forecaster Dan Holley said the sizzling conditions were a consequence of high pressure overhead.

He said: “It’s going to stay through the weekend and really into next week as well. The position of the high means we keep the easterly inshore flow from the North Sea, so the talk of temperatures reaching 29C or 30C will be more across the Midlands than East Anglia.

“For Suffolk we are probably only going to get 24C or 25C and in places like Mildenhall and Lakenheath, in the west of the county, it may be 26C.

“Our average for this time of the year is 20C or 21C by day so it’s five degrees above average. It looks like the best spell of prolonged weather for a few years - we haven’t had a period like this since 2006.”

And with the predicted warm weather on the way, the East of England Ambulance Service has reminded people that simple steps can be taken to avoid suffering in the sun.

Neil Storey, director of emergency operations, said: “Our ambulance crews can be very busy at this time of the year, attending calls from people who might have overdone it in the heat.

“The warmer weather is something we all take advantage of, and by following just a few simple precautions, people can enjoy the sun safely. People should ensure they have enough medication, and take the necessary precautions to prevent the effects of heat exposure.”