Holidaymakers and residents in Dorset are set to bask in a heatwave next week following a weekend of unsettled weather.

Despite some miserable conditions in store for today (20), the Met Office is predicting more settled weather from tomorrow (21) onwards when much warmer weather is in store for the whole of the UK.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: "As we head into next week temperatures will increase daily across much of England and Wales as hot air is drawn up from France and Spain.

"Temperatures could reach 34c by Wednesday (24) in parts of central, southern or eastern areas and heatwave thresholds are likely to be reached in some places."

Roads are expected to be busy this weekend with the start, for many, of the school holidays and heavy rain may adversely affect driving conditions during Friday evening’s rush hour and Saturday, weather forecasters are warning. Rod Dennis of the RAC said: "As thousands of families take to the car to head off on holiday drivers are going to have to take particular care and could have, not just queues of traffic, but also heavy rain and gusty winds, to contend with, at least at the start of the weekend.

"It is vital motorists check their vehicles are ready for longer drives – breakdowns are never welcome in any weather, but the being stuck at the side of the road in the wind and rain is surely one of the worst ways of starting a well-earned summer break."