THE North-East was basking in a mini heatwave yesterday - but more traditional weather is on the way.

Hundreds of people flocked to the beaches to make the most of the warm weather as temperatures soared above those in tourist hot spots such as Tenerife and Crete.

Although the heatwave is expected to continue until Sunday, with temperatures heading into the 80s, the likelihood of rain is strong.

All that was forgotten yesterday as temperatures reached more than 70F, a lot warmer than the 64F in Tenerife.

PA News Weatherman Michael Dukes said: "It's about time. We've had to endure four to five awful weeks of constant rain and heavy showers, so it's just right that we should now start to get some good weather."

He added: "It should last until the weekend but we are expecting a gradual thundery breakdown on Sunday in the west and Sunday/Monday in the east.

"Next week looks more unsettled but it should still be warmer than it has been lately."

Temperatures are well above the average for late May of 19C (66F).

But the warmer weather will mean misery for many hayfever sufferers as the pollen count soars.