As you enjoy the sunshine - remember the ice age of 2006 - News

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Twelve months on, we're slapping on the sunblock.

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the British weather.

Last spring, the country was blasted with icy winds and heavy snowfall leaving shoppers in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, precariously negotiating thick slabs of ice on the streets.

Meanwhile in Manchester the conditions were so treacherous that the start of Lancashire's first cricket match of the year at Old Trafford had to be delayed so ground staff could remove a thick layer of ice from the pitch.

In 2006 a thick covering of ice halted the fun. But in 2007 we're soaking up the sun's rays

On Thursday fans laboured under an altogether different hazard as temperatures soared to 68 degree Farenheit (20 degrees Centigrade), leading many spectators at the Lancashire and Durham friendly to remove their shirts and risk sunburn.

Meanwhile in Tunbridge Wells, sunseekers were out in force enjoying ice cream as they strolled the streets.

And forecasters say there is even hotter weather to come.

Today will see temperatures climb to 75f (24C) in the South East - hotter than the Costa Brava and the Balearic Islands where showers and comparatively chilly temperatures of 60f (16C) are forecast.

Icy underfoot in 2006, but it 's off with the layers this year

The same warm conditions should continue into Sunday for most of Britain, making it one of the hottest April weekends in the past 50 years.

Warm air sweeping in from the Mediterranean will raise temperatures more than ten degrees above the seasonal average.

Next week the heat is expected to ease off, with temperatures dropping to 64f (18C) in the south east, but there will still be plenty of sunshine.

A Met Office spokesman said: "We are seeing far higher temperatures for this time of year than usual. The average for April is 55f (13C). The record for this month was set in 1949 when it reached 89f (29.4C), but we aren't expecting that this weekend. For most of the country it will be very warm and dry with plenty of sunshine."

Supermarkets are stocking up on barbecue food and charcoal to cope with an anticipated surge in demand. A Tesco spokesman said: "This could be the earliest ever start to the British barbecue season."