The UK is set to be bathed in glorious sunshine over the VE bank holiday weekend, with temperatures in the capital expected to soar to up to 24C.

London will be hit by sunny skies and warm weather, with the mercury soaring to the mid-20s at its highest, but all of this is expected to abruptly end on Sunday.

On Friday, parts of the country are forecast to be hotter than some of the Europe's top tourist destinations including Monaco and Corfu.

The Met Office say the fine spell should continue for most areas into Saturday, but many beaches and open spaces are likely to be largely empty as people stay at home due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Weather experts say an area of high pressure will move across to the south of England on Friday, causing the lovely weather across the capital.

Met Office forecaster Oli Claydo, said: "It will be a bright and warm day for most on Friday, with temperatures rising as high as 26C (78.8F) in London.

"There will be some early morning fog in the Midlands and west of England, and scattered showers in Scotland, but that should clear by mid-morning.

"By the afternoon it is likely to be clear and pleasant for all, and could be pretty hot for most. But this will start to change on Saturday as a cold front will move from Scotland, bringing scattered showers in parts."

By Sunday the temperature could drop as much as 11C as Arctic air sweeps in from the north of the UK to bring rain and colder temperatures, with possible wintry showers in northern Scotland.

Mr Claydon added: "There is expected to be a drastic drop in temperature on Sunday, falling as low as 15C (59F) in London, and there could even be a chance of snow in hilly areas of Scotland, but it is unlikely to set."