HAMPSHIRE basked in balmy weather over the weekend as summer came early - but rain is set to make a comeback, according to weather experts.

The mercury reached a peak of 22.2C in Otterbourne on Saturday, more than six degrees hotter than the average temperature for this time of year.

Forecasters at the Met Office say the weather Hampshire has seen is more what they would expect in August and is being caused by high pressure and the wind direction coming from Europe.

Today will see a repeat of the weekend with the county bathed in sunshine and temperatures again reaching 23C.

But as the week continues the weather will start to return to normal temperatures with showers.

Tomorrow there will be sunny spells and heavy showers most likely in the morning, but the risk of further showers will continue during the day, though temperatures could still reach 20C.

On Wednesday, temperatures could reach a pleasant 19C with bright sunny spells and showers with a similar forecast for Thursday and Friday though the temperature will drop.