SUMMER made a welcome return to Bournemouth on Thursday with many families heading to the beach to bask in the sunshine.

This week Britain put Corfu in the shade with temperatures of up to 70F caused by warm air coming from Southern France, Spain and North Africa.

The sun coincided perfectly with the school half-term holidays.

A Met Office spokesman said: “This week is ideal for families to be out and about with the driest weather in the south and east.”

Average temperatures for this time of year are 55F. Weather experts believe the mild daytime temperatures and cold evenings are responsible for some of the most stunning autumn leaves for years.

However the mild, sunny weather is not set to last with showers forecast for this weekend and the Met Office predicting the first “proper” band of rain crossing the country.