EAST Anglia is basking in sunshine again today as the warmest weekend of the year continues.

After weeks of unpredictable and dull conditions, the county is enjoying prolonged warm weather, with not a single cloud in the sky.

Temperatures peaked at 26C yesterday in Suffolk and are set to reach the 23C mark today - way above avaerage for this time of year.

Thousands of families are expected to flock to parks and beaches across Suffolk and Essex to enjoy the glorious sunshine, giving youngsters the perfect opportunity to paddle in the sea.

Even in caostal regions temperatures were still around 21C yesterday and are set to remain high today.

Chris Bell, a forecaster for WeatherQuest said: “It has been the warmest weekend of the year so far.

“Temperatures peaked at 26C at Santon Downham in Suffolk yesterday and I would predict that temperatures will again be in the mid 20s inland today.”

Speaking on Friday, Steve Western, another forecaster for WeatherQuest, said that temperatures were above average for the time of year and the weekend was set to be “reasonably warm and hot”.

He said: “This weekend is set to be mostly dry and bright with the top inland temperature being 23C and the top temperature by the coast will be about 21C.

“It is set to be a very pleasant day today, however there is a small chance of a thundery shower in the west of the county on Sunday.

“Temperatures are definitely above average for this time of year. Where the average temperature is about 16C, we’re about 7C higher.

“The temperatures make for a reasonably warm and hot weekend.”

However, the forecaster later advised residents to enjoy the sun while it lasted, with temperatures set to plummet next week.

Mr Western said: “Next week we will be back down to 11C and it will be quite dull. The patchy rain will give the ground the drink it needs.”