Hotter than Athens for weekend of fun

Temperatures soared to up to 22C (72F) as the West Midlands enjoyed the hottest day of the year, with conditions warmer than Athens, Rome and Barcelona.

And it prompted record crowds to turn out to events across the West Midlands.

Walsall Arboretum was awash with pink as more than 2,500 women took part in this year's Cancer Research UK Race for Life.

Wearing pink wigs, tutus and feather boas, the women took on a 5K circuit around the park yesterday.

Organisers revealed it was the highest ever turnout, with more than £130,000 set to be raised.

Emotions ran high as women wore placards on their backs dedicated to loved ones who have survived, are battling or have lost their brave battles with cancer.

Among those taking part was Lesley Scott who was running the race in memory of her mother Beddow who lost her battle with cancer on March 10.

The 45-year-old from Cannock said: "I am here with 10 of my closest friends and family and we have called ourselves Irene's Pink Ladies because we are running for my mum.

"She only died a couple of months ago and it has been really difficult so everyone has rallied round and we have raised £2,000 in her memory.

"My 11-year-old daughter Claire has got stuck in. None of us has ever done it before so we have made a big effort."

Also running was 28-year-old mother of two Andrea Howells, with her four-year-old Rough Collie dog called Robin.

She said: "I am running for my mum Wong who died after a long battle with cancer.

"She had it in the uterus but then it spread to her bowl and she died in 2010. I know she would be really proud of me today."

Dressed in a tutu and fluorescent boots, dog groomer Maxine Boulton from Brownhills raised £150.

The 31-year-old said: "I came here today because my dad is suffering with cancer and I want to help beat the disease."

Meanwhile, a record crowd flocked to Dudley's Himley Park on Sunday with up to 5,000 people attending the popular annual dragon boat racing event.

The annual challenge saw teams furiously paddle their way through the park's lake to raise money for charity.

Run by Wolverhampton Rotary Club, the event has raised £280,000 in its 14-year history.

President Mike Colley said: "It's a record turnout this year and with the beautiful weather it's been a fabulous day.

"People are getting used to this being a big annual event."

Among those competing in the dragon boat challenge - which included regular races spread over six hours - was Zoe Brettle, aged 26 from Wordsley.

The solicitor, whose Brendan Fleming Solicitors team raised money for Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "The weather is lovely and everyone's had a lot of fun.

"It's brought everyone's spirits up and the whole thing is for charity which is great."

But while most people were chilling out in the sunshine, a hardy army of almost 500 runners were testing their fitness at an endurance challenge on Saturday.

The Kick Ass Endurance race challenged competitors to complete a 10K obstacle course around Weston Park.

Organiser Tony Talbot said: "This is the first time we have run the event in May and we have developed it to be a really good, family event for everyone to enjoy.

"We had people come from all over at the weekend, with runners from just over the border in Cheshire to as far afield as Manchester, Guildford in Surrey and London."

Serious athletes and fun runners took on the course.

And popular tourist attractions were busy, with Tettenhall Pool and Bantock House in Wolverhampton both teeming with people.

Helen Steatham, Bantock House curator manager, said: "On Saturday we had twice as many people as usual.

"On Sunday people were queuing to get in before we opened at 11am.

"It's a busy summer for us so hopefully the weather will stay like this."

But people were warned to make the most of the sun while it lasts, with rain and even thunderstorms forecast on Tuesday and Thursday.

Temperatures were remaining high today reaching 22C (72F) again but with more cloud.

But rain is forecast for late tomorrow morning, turning stormy in the afternoon and with temperatures struggling to get above 19C (66F).

Wednesday will be calmer and sunny, but cooler at 16C (61F) before the rain returns all day on Thursday.