EAST Anglia's mini heatwave has ensured the region has basked in the hottest temperatures of the year so far.Weather experts are predicting more of the same this weekend as another high pressure area moves into the region.

EAST Anglia's mini heatwave has ensured the region has basked in the hottest temperatures of the year so far.

Weather experts are predicting more of the same this weekend as another high pressure area moves into the region.

Steve Western, forecaster with Norwich-based WeatherQuest, said temperatures yesterday in East Anglia reached 26C (79F) – the hottest in the region so far this year.

Although sun worshippers will have to put up with the odd light shower today and tomorrow, temperatures are set to soar on Saturday.

"Today was the hottest spell we have had this year. We have just got a high pressure pulling in warm air from the continent," he said.

"The wind is light south westerly, bringing plenty of sunshine and moist air but it's not exceptional for this time of year and no records have been broken."

Mr Western said the weather was expected to turn showery today with the chance of a thunderstorm or heavy shower in the afternoon and dry tomorrow during the day with rain in the evening.

"It will be fresher on Thursday but then warming up with a high pressure bringing fine dry weather next weekend," he said.

The hot weather has led to a rush in the number of people buying electrical fans to keep cooler in the summer climate.

Trevor Foster, manager of Bennetts electrical store in Martlesham, said the store had sold more than 100 electrical fans this year, many in the last two weeks, and stocks were now down to just 30-40.

"Sales have really increased during the last week – especially over the weekend as a muggy conditions increased.

"There's definitely been an increase in sales and we're now starting to get low. It's the one thing you can't gage the marketing as one year there's too few and another year there's too many. This year I can say we're going to run out again."