Temperatures across west Dorset are expected to soar this weekend, but scientists warn the warm weather could bring with it an invasion of mosquitos.

With a so-called Indian Summer inbound and the area expecting 20C today and tomorrow, local residents and holiday tourists alike will be flocking to the seaside to enjoy one last hot and sunny weekend before autumn officially hits.

There are plenty of events for people to go to whilst soaking up the sunshine, including Weldmar Hospicecare's summer fete in Dorchester today.

Martin Clunes, star of Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, will be at the event as he is a long-time supporter of the Dorset-based charity.

Science professor and entomologist Adam Hart has warned anyone venturing out to stock up on insect repellent due to fears of a mosquito invasion.

He said: “An Indian Summer and a bout of warm weather means that insects become much more active. This combined with wanting to spend time outdoors before the cold weather and winter comes, means we are much more likely to get bitten by mosquitoes and other insects around. This is something we are not used to for this time of year and we seemingly forget to take the necessary precautions, such as wearing insect repellent."

With these warmer conditions also comes the fear that the Asian Tiger mosquito, which carries the Zika virus, could become more prevalent in the UK.

“Being an island offer some protection to us but many insects can get to the UK in all kinds of ways," said Adam, "whether it is in imported timber, on plants, stowaways in our holiday packing.

"The Asian Tiger mosquito has been previously identified in the UK, but doesn’t currently pose a threat.”