BRITAIN is set to bask in its hottest temperatures of the year so far, with the mercury expected to soar higher than in parts of Spain this week.

Most of England and Wales will enjoy sunshine and warm conditions over the next three days as forecasters predict temperatures could reach as high as 24C (75.2F) in London on Wednesday - 10C (50F) above the average for the time of year.

But the North-East is set to miss out on the mini heatwave with cloud and patchy rain all week.

There was some good news for the region, however, after the Met Office confirmed that hotter-than-average temperatures are more than twice as likely than below-average conditions until June.

Temperatures will reach as high as 22C (71.6F) in south east England today, while Scotland will again have a "disappointing" maximum of 15C (59F).

Wednesday is likely to be the warmest of the year for much of Britain, with the mercury reaching up to 24C (75.2F) in London and South East England, according to weather specialists at MeteoGroup.

The South East is expected to be warmer than southern and central Spain, with Alicante expected to be 22C (71.6F) and Madrid 18C (64.4F) on Wednesday.

Temperatures could reach 21C (69.8F) in Wales, 18C (64.4F) across the north of England and 12C (53.6F) in Scotland.

Forecaster Paul Mott said the prediction for Thursday and Friday was "more uncertain" when it is expected to be cooler but will remain dry.

The predicted hot weather is the result of a plume of warm air heading towards the UK from the south west, coming from as far as the Azores Islands, he added.

Meanwhile, a Met Office spokesman confirmed that near to above-average temperatures are predicted for April to June.

There is a 20-25 per cent chance that mean temperatures for the UK will fall into the warmest category, compared with a ten per cent chance of falling into the coldest category, he said.