The sunshine, blue skies and record breaking temperatures of recent days are set to come to a thundery end - with heavy rain and lightning expected across the region this weekend.

Forecasters at Weatherquest in Norwich said Essex was expected to see the first of thunderstorms on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Suffolk may also catch the tail end of the storms as they pass northwards across the region.

However, a second spell of thunderstorms on Sunday are expected to be hit Suffolk harder.

Weatherquest forecaster Adam Dury said that despite the thunderstorms, there would be warm and sunny spells.

“There may be some cloud and fog first thing on Saturday but it will become sunnier as the day goes on before clouding over again in the evening,” he added.

The thunderstorm warning comes after days of warm, sunny weather across the region - as hot air came in from the Azores in the Atlantic.

Temperatures next week are expected to return to normal with highs of around 15-16C on Monday.