Weather weary Britons could bask in temperatures of up to 17C (62.6F) as a wave of high pressure sends the mercury rising this weekend.

Much of southern England can expect to enjoy temperatures in the mid-teens on Saturday and Sunday, weeks after heavy downpours and gale-force winds flooded communities and brought the transport network to its knees.

The dry spell - and likely accolade of Sunday being the warmest day of the year to date - will no doubt come as welcome relief to those still dealing with the aftermath of flood-damaged homes.

John Lee, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ''The weather will be getting much better into the weekend.

''The south of England will be somewhat drier than we've had recently, with a wave of high pressure.

''It means we're looking at a forecast of up to 17C in London on Sunday. Even other parts of the south could see 15C and 16C this weekend.''