THIS weekend could be the hottest of the year so far, according to forecasters from the Met Office.

Areas of Britain are forecast to be warmer than Crete, but temperatures may drop as early as Tuesday, when ‘breezy and showery’ weather takes hold.

Meteorologist Richard Miles said temperatures could reach above average for early May, offering the perfect chance for a barbecue.

Noting that Britain could enjoy its warmest day of the year, Mr Miles advised people to take precautions against the sun.

The Met Office is predicting temperatures of 18C in Warrington on Friday, with sunny intervals from dinnertime.

Saturday will be a sunny day, with the mercury reaching around 19C, while Sunday will be cloudy and 18C.

Mr Miles said: “People should be sensible, using sunscreen, but the majority of people are not going to see blazing sunshine. More like sunny breaks than extended clear skies.

“You should always take precautions for the effects of ultraviolet, as you can still get it even through hazy and cloudy conditions.”

“You could see a shower anywhere,” Mr Miles said, adding that the rain would be ‘heavy, especially given how dry it has been’.

Temperatures are not expected to creep above 20C again until the weekend, when May is likely to resume its ‘warming trend’.