SPRING is in the air - finally! In a welcome break from the recent wet, wild and windy weather, the sun actually managed to struggle through the clouds on Tuesday.

And that rare event was enough to send people flocking to gardens, parks and beaches across the area.

In Bournemouth's Pleasure Gardens, visitors marked the start of British Summertime by lazing on deckchairs and tucking into ice creams while workers escaped from the office to enjoy an al fresco lunch.

Nineteen-year-old Lindsey Briston, of Creekmoor, said: "I work in Bournemouth and like to come down to the gardens a couple of times a week when I can.

"I like to sit by the river listening to the water when it's nice and sunny."

And mother of five-year-old twin girls Caroline McAlister, of Pokesdown, said: "The girls just love to run about when it is warm.

"I am hoping for a nice summer, especially as they have a six-week holiday.

"I have got to do something with them and they love it in Bournemouth."

Temperatures reached 15 Celsius or 59 Farenheit - a far cry from the icy winds and downpours that marred Easter weekend.

But don't pack away the umbrella just yet - the forecast for the rest of the week is set to be a mixture of sunny intervals and cloudy spells.