PACK away your woolly scarves and dig out your shorts and shades summer's here at least for the remainder of the weekend.

Yesterday saw temperatures hit 16C several degrees hotter than the average for this time of year.

And it looks like the good weather will stick around the rest of today and most of tomorrow.

The blue skies are a complete contrast from the grey snow skies earlier this month.

According to John Stubley, spokesman for the Met Office, temperatures have tripled in less than a fortnight.

He said: "Just 10 days ago temperatures were struggling to reach five or six degrees.

"The weather couldn't be more changeable at the moment. It seems we have a change in wind direction to thank for the good weather.

"Our weather is now coming in from the southwest rather than the northeast," added Mr Stubley.

"Swindon has been very lucky. The south coast has been swamped under fog and temperatures have not risen much above 10C."

Last night, staff at Coate Water Country Park were gearing up for a busy weekend.

Ranger, Philip Dean, said an extension to the car park normally opened at Easter would be in use to cater for around 2,000 expected visitors.

"We've even had people in shorts today," said Mr Dean. "You'd think summer had arrived.

"I've heard the caf has been busy and we expect to sell a fair few ice creams this weekend.

"It's an ideal time for visitors. Lots of singing birds are out and the herons in our nature reserve are nesting. Let's just hope the lovely weather continues."

Sadly, it looks like the April showers will arrive ahead of schedule.

Rain coupled with high winds and plummeting temperatures make for a less attractive week to follow from Tuesday.

Kevin Shoesmith