GOLFERS enjoying a game over the bank holiday weekend found themselves having to play during a freak hailstorm.

Photos show a white blanket covering Hollingbury Golf Course yesterday as the heavens opened and hailstones suddenly rained down.

Golfer John Mitchell, who shared the photos in The Argus Camera Club Facebook group, described the weather as "bonkers" and said the hail lasted about 30 minutes before the sun came out and melted it away.

He said: "It didn't stop us playing obviously, but finding the ball became a bit harder."

The Argus: Hail rained down on golfers playing at Hollingbury Golf Course yesterday. Photos: John MitchellHail rained down on golfers playing at Hollingbury Golf Course yesterday. Photos: John Mitchell

It comes as the Met Office has imposed a yellow weather warning for wind across the south of England for the rest of the bank holiday, until 9am tomorrow morning.

Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for this evening, with wind gusts of up to 55mph predicted in Brighton.

Spray and large waves are expected along the coast and the rain is forecast to clear eastwards in the early hours tomorrow, with strong winds remaining in the city throughout Tuesday.

Early provisional figures from the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre indicate that April had the lowest average UK minimum temperature since 1922, and the third lowest average UK minimum temperature for the month since records began in 1884.

Air frost and clear conditions combined for a frost-laden, chilly month, despite long hours of sunshine.