May Bank Holiday weather is set to be a scorcher, with temperatures across the country heading for record highs.

In Brighton and Hove temperatures are expected to reach 23C on Saturday, according to the Met Office.

The day is set to be dry, with lengthy periods of warm sunshine.

The outlook for Sunday and Monday will also remain dry with plenty of sunshine and light winds, becoming humid by Tuesday with a risk of some sporadic thundery showers developing later.

It comes as temperatures could reach as high as 28C in some parts of England on Monday as the three-day weekend concludes.

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said a record-breaking weekend could not be ruled out.

She said: “It could beat that (28.6C) for the Monday in which case it would be the hottest ever early Spring bank holiday weekend.”

Most parts of England and Wales will enjoy temperatures in the 20s throughout the weekend, with the best of the weather predicted for the South East.

Ms Yeomans added: “On the whole it looks like a fine and sunny bank holiday for most.”

The record for the early May bank holiday weekend was set in 1995 when temperatures peaked on the Saturday at 28.6C. The peak for the holiday Monday was 23.6C in 1999.

The early May holiday was introduced in 1978.

Pollen counts are also expected to soar this weekend, meaning misery for hayfever sufferers as tree pollen season peaks and combines with warm, breezy weather.