THE region’s spring heat wave continued today with sun-lovers basking in unseasonal April warmth.

Temperatures reached around 18 degrees Celsius yesterday, meaning parts of the North-East were hotter than much of the Spanish Costas and Mediterranean.

Today is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far.

However, fresher air will arrive tonight meaning the weekend will be much cooler, by perhaps as much as six or seven degrees Celsius, and rain is expected on Sunday.

Parts of the country could even see wintry showers, particularly in northern Scotland.

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said it was pretty normal for April to see some warmer weather followed by some colder weather.