Sunseekers head outdoors ahead of cooler weekend

The region has been enjoying some spring sunshine and warm temperatures as the Easter bank holiday weekend approaches.

Joggers take in the vivid colour of the Walsall Arboretum

People have been out taking in the warm weather, with temperatures in parts of the region matching or bettering temperatures in Malaga in Spain and Palermo in Italy.

A high of 20C (68F) was recorded across the region, with other parts of the country expected to hit 24C (75.2F), marking the hottest March day for more than 50 years.

Parks such as the Walsall Arboretum and Baggeridge Country Park have seen people come out to enjoy the weather, following a relaxation of Covid restrictions on Monday.

Sue Beilby from Wednesbury takes her dogs Barney and Bear out for a walk

Oryn Stuart, Isabella Gardner and Arla Stuart from Walsall have a nice day out playing at the arboretum

Joga Singh serves ice cream from the Mr Simon ice cream van as people enjoy a day out at Walsall Arboretum

It was a great day to be out on the bike in Walsall

People have been out enjoying the weather in larger groups, following a relaxation in restrictions

It allows groups of up to six people from any number of households or a group of any size from up to two households to be able to gather in parks and gardens with social distancing.

At Walsall Arboretum, the beauty of the rural retreat was enhanced by the sun, with trees and shrubs full of colour and providing a vivid backdrop to dog walkers, families and people enjoying the sun.

The animals and keepers at Dudley Zoo were also out enjoying the sunshine as the zoo continues its preparations to reopen to the public on April 12.

The weather is expected to stay warm and sunny through Wednesday, with the Black Country peaking at 20C (68F), while parts of Staffordshire could reach as high as 21C (69.8F), with sunny intervals and light winds.

However, the outlook for the rest of the week looks to be a change back to cooler weather, with increased cloud cover and rain over Easter weekend.

On Good Friday, the weather is set to be cloudy and grey, with highs of just 11C (51.8F), staying the same on Easter Saturday, before hitting a maximum of 13C (55.4F) on Easter Sunday.

The temperature is then set to dip and becoming rainy on Easter Monday, with a maximum temperature of 8C (46.4F) predicated and sleet showers with a moderate breeze predicted.