THE UK basked in late summer sunshine as temperatures hit more than 30C and reached a record-breaking bank holiday high in Wales.

Gogerddan, near Aberystwyth, recorded 27.4C on Saturday - a new record for the highest late August holiday weekend temperature in the country.

The mercury rose to 30.5C at Heathrow, west London, a degree shy of the record set in the same location in 2001.

The sunshine is set to continue with even hotter temperatures expected, possibly reaching a record high of 33C, most likely in the south-east of England, today.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said: "Going forward into Monday for many of us it will be another sunny day.

Aberdeenshire in Scotland could see 29C on Sunday, while Northern Ireland is likely to enjoy 24C.

Across the country, where daytime temperatures are not forecast to drop below the low 20s right through the bank holiday, many people made the most of the hot weather and time off.

Sunseekers, some taking a dip in the sea and others lying out on sunloungers, flocked to Whitby.

People travelling were advised by the RAC to pack enough food and water and plan enough breaks for the journey.

Saturday's high in Wales beat the previous record for the hottest late summer bank holiday of 27.3C (81.1F) at Velindre, Powys, in 2013.

The Northern Ireland record stands at 27C (80.6F) recorded in Knockaraven, Co Fermanagh, in 2003.