UK sun threatened by storms

Daytrippers packed the beaches on Saturday

Day-tripping Britons have been told to pack their umbrellas on Sunday - because the weekend's sunny weather could be broken by thunderstorms.

Thousands flocked to the coast on Saturday for the hottest day of the year so far.

BBC weather forecaster John Hammond said temperatures topped 29C in London - a 2003 record.

Temperatures are expected to remain high on Sunday, but forecasters warned the glorious sunshine would be replaced by thundery showers.

The BBC weather forecast said scattered thunderstorms are expected across eastern parts, with the odd shower in some central areas and more general rain in western areas.

This could be bad news for the thousands of nudists stripping off at events up and down the country for national Naturists Day.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected across eastern parts and perhaps the odd shower in some central areas later, with more general rain in western areas at times

BBC weather forecast

Events are expected in many of the 180 official venues dotted around the country, 70 of which are clubs with their own land.

Among the activities will be a nude picnic in Hyde Park, in London, which is being organised by members of campaign group British Naturism.

The highest temperatures of the weekend have been enjoyed in the main by the south of England.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Birmingham basked in 27C sunshine, Manchester reached 25C, Newcastle 22C and Glasgow 20C.

But not everyone enjoyed hot weather with some western coastal areas staying much cooler. In Liverpool the temperature was 16C and in Belfast 15C.

Britons everywhere have nonetheless been celebrating the recent heatwave with soaring barbeque sales, according to one major supermarket chain.

Asda reported barbecue sales have shot up by 194% this week, while charcoal sales have risen by 357%.

Fresh barbecue meats have sold 400% more than last week, while garden furniture sales were up by 178%.