MEDITERRANEAN temperatures sent people flocking to the coast as East Anglia enjoyed one of the hottest days of the year so far.

Danielle Nuttall

MEDITERRANEAN temperatures sent people flocking to the coast as East Anglia enjoyed one of the hottest days of the year so far.

The mercury rose to 25C in Suffolk yesterday and even higher in parts of Essex as the region continued to enjoy unbroken sunshine.

Temperatures did not quite pip those of May 10 this year when 26C was recorded in Wattisham but meteorologists said it was still one of the warmest days of the year.

But sun worshippers were urged to make the most of it as rain is expected to dampen outdoor activities this weekend.

John Law, a forecaster with WeatherQuest, said: “We've had an area of high pressure over us in the last couple of days with really warm moist air coming up from the south.

“The warm weather is expected to last for the next couple of days but it won't be quite as hot as yesterday.

“Temperatures over the next couple of days will be up into the 20s but as we start going through the weekend it won't be quite as dry. There will be heavy and thundery rain showers.

“At the moment, the weekend doesn't look particularly nice.

“We'll see an area of low pressure on Saturday from the south west bringing more cloud. Chances are we'll see longer spells of rain. Sunday will be drier but cloudy.”

The warm weather boosted visitor numbers at tourist attractions across Suffolk yesterday.

Stephen Bournes, owner of Southwold Pier, said: “We've had lots of visitors. We invited some OAPs from a care home in Lowestoft for a cream tea and it couldn't have turned out to be a better day.

“We've also had a coach party from the Royal British Legion in Colchester. Everyone had a lovely time.

“The last few days we have been very busy. There's been a lot of positive business about. People are happy with the sunshine.”

Terry Nunn, marketing and reservations manager at Pleasurewood Hills theme park in Lowestoft, added: “We've had over 1,100 people today and on Sunday we virtually doubled our predicted number.

“Considering the children are still at school it's been a very good day.”

In other parts of the country, temperatures rose to 27.8C (82F) yesterday - the hottest day of the year so far.

However, motoring organisation the RAC said the roads had been comparatively quiet.

“People are really thinking about whether their journeys are necessary and trying to economise on fuel while prices are so high,” said a spokesman.