Today is the hottest early bank holiday Monday in 40 years, according to weather experts.

The scorching sunshine has 'smashed' the earlier temperature record today (May 7), with 24.2 C at Herstmonceux in East Sussex, according to the Met Office.

This breaks the previous one which was recorded at 23.6C in 1999.

The early May bank holiday was brought in during 1978, with the hottest early May bank holiday weekend reaching temperatures of more than 28C on that Saturday in 1995.

Forecasters also reckon temperatures could reach as high as 26C this afternoon and evening in the capital, while the weather cools down to around 15C by the end of this week.

It is expected the weather will become cooler by Wednesday (May 9) while the south east of England, alongside East Anglia and the Midlands, will feel it the most.

Are you enjoying the sunshine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments