Midlands balmy as Med left in shade
Tourist attractions, garden centres and parks across the Black Country and Staffordshire experienced a surge in visitors this weekend as families made the most of Mediterranean temperatures.
Unseasonally warm weather brought people out in their droves to bask in temperatures of 14C (57F) – hotter than the Greek island of Crete. The sunshine, which is set to continue all week, led to a rise in sales of barbecues and hanging baskets and saw people flood to regional tourist attractions.
John Leach, of Severn Valley Railway, said: "We've had mild weather for the past three weeks, so we have capitalised on that. We have been very busy."
Steve Hallett, general manager of Hollybush Garden Centre in Shareshill, near Wolverhampton, said the car park was full on both Saturday and Sunday, with an endless queue of people snapping up plants, compost and barbecues .
"People were preparing for summer and we were rushed off our feet. Spring has definitely sprung at Hollybush, all the plants are in full bloom, and we look to be busy all week with Mothering Sunday coming up."
Rubbish tips were also busy as people cleared out clutter from their homes.
Families headed to parks such as Wolverhampton's Tettenhall Green to enjoy the sunshine and newly-bloomed flowers.
Beaches in the south and east of the country attracted summer-sized crowds, with people even braving the sea. Beach huts at Bournemouth were opened for the first time this year.
Met Office spokeswoman Helen Chivers said an area of high pressure and mild winds from the south were causing the fine weather.
"We will certainly be in double figures for the rest of the week," she said.
"The nights will still be quite chilly and there may be frost on the ground at night. It's too soon to tell what the summer will be like yet."
Tomorrow looks set to be cloudy, with temperatures of 13C (55F), but the rest of the week will be sunny and cloud-free. Thursday could reach 15C (59F).
