Hitchin is set to swelter today, Wednesday, in what will be the hottest day of the year so far.

The mercury will soar this afternoon to a record breaking 28C as warm air from Spain raises temperatures.

The warm spell will end with thunderstorms on Wednesday evening, followed by a few days weekend of changeable weather, but the fine weather will return soon.

More is to follow this weekend with the Met Office confirming the picture looks very warm and sunny for much of our area, with highs of 25C expected across the south-east on Saturday, including Hitchin.