ONE of the region’s most historic landmarks basked in sunshine today as spring finally appeared to have sprung – as forecasters were predicting this week would bring the hottest day of the year so far.

Around 100,000 daffodil heads have come into bloom above a carpet of Chinonodoxas in the historic parkland around Alnwick Castle, which most people are hoping is a signal for better weather to come.

Temperatures are expected to soar across much of Britain in the next few days, as spring gets into gear after a prolonged winter

As the UK experiences its first taste of spring, just weeks after snow swept across many areas, the mercury could rise to up to 10C above the average for April, the Met Office said.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill said the weather will be “turning warmer for a little time” as hotter air is dragged up from the south, causing temperatures to rise as high as 25C (77F) by Thursday.

Mr Burkill said the best of sunshine and warmth tomorrow will be in the South East, where temperatures of 18C (64.4F) or 19C (66.2F) could be recorded.

“On Wednesday it will be mostly dry and rather sunny for most places, but there will be some rain affecting Northern Ireland, Scotland and perhaps some parts of northern England too,” he added.

The warm and sunny weather looks set to continue into the weekend, but that it may be a little cooler, and there could be some rain pushing in from the west by Sunday.