A MINI-HEATWAVE is expected to hit the country this week.

Temperatures could be as high as 21 degrees in Gloucestershire on Thursday - seven degrees higher than the average for April.

A change in direction in the air has seen warm air from the south make its way into England. The South East will benefit the most with highs of 25 with stronger winds in the west keeping temperatures slightly cooler.

John West, an operational meteorologist at the Met Office said: "Last week we had easterly winds from the North Sea which pushed colder air.

"There's been a change of direction in the air and we'll be getting warm air from the Azores. Pollen and UV levels will be high so that might take people from surprise."