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BRITS have soaked up the sun as the temperature hit 20C on the warmest day of the year so far - but not everyone was so lucky.

Forecasters said that temperatures are set to rise even more over the weekend.

Pals relax in deckchairs on the beach at Lyme Regis, Dorset, today
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Pals relax in deckchairs on the beach at Lyme Regis, Dorset, todayCredit: ©Graham Hunt
A group of friends on a hen weekend in Brighton have a splash about in the sea
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A group of friends on a hen weekend in Brighton have a splash about in the seaCredit: i-Images
People make the most of the sunny weather with a punt on the River Cam in Cambridge
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People make the most of the sunny weather with a punt on the River Cam in CambridgeCredit: Geoff Robinson Photography
People made the most of the sunny weather in St James's Park, central London today
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People made the most of the sunny weather in St James's Park, central London todayCredit: i-Images
Crowds flocked to Brighton beach to soak up the rays
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Crowds flocked to Brighton beach to soak up the raysCredit: Eddie Mitchell

The Met Office recorded a high of 20.2C in Pershore, Worcestershire.

In Northern Ireland, temperatures peaked at 20C at Castle Derg while in Wales 19.2C was recorded in Llysdinam.

But some Brits hoping to enjoy the sunshine were left disappointed, with thunderstorms arriving in Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England.

Senior operations meteorologist Marco Petagna said: "We are stuck between an area of high pressure to the north east of the UK and lower pressure to the west.

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"Warm air from the Atlantic has brought a lot of moisture too which will help trigger showers.

"We are looking at potentially heavy and thundery showers on Saturday in Northern Ireland, north west England and Wales which will tend to ease going into the evening.

"In those areas we could see some of the warmest sunshine away from the showers with temperatures in the mid to high teens."

More showers are expected on Sunday towards the west, although the south east is likely to stay dry according to forecasters.

By Monday, drier conditions will develop from the west, with showers concentrated across eastern areas.

Although temperatures have risen in most areas, Scotland is expected to see a cooler day on Saturday before returning closer to average temperatures on Sunday and Monday.

High pressure through the early part of next week is likely to keep the number of showers down, and early predictions for next weekend suggest a mixture of sunshine and showers for the coronation in London, with temperatures expected to reach 17-20C.

But the Met Office is predicting there could be some showery and thundery weather later this afternoon
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But the Met Office is predicting there could be some showery and thundery weather later this afternoonCredit: Met Office
Lyme Regis in Dorset is bathed in sunshine today
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Lyme Regis in Dorset is bathed in sunshine todayCredit: ©Graham Hunt
Punts are out in force today on the River Cam at Cambridge
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Punts are out in force today on the River Cam at CambridgeCredit: Geoff Robinson Photography
Friends enjoy the warm spring sunshine on Wimbledon Common, south west London
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Friends enjoy the warm spring sunshine on Wimbledon Common, south west LondonCredit: Rex
People take it easy in St James's Park, central London, today
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People take it easy in St James's Park, central London, todayCredit: Alamy
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