DIG out the sun cream and fire up the barbecue – it’s going to be a scorcher!

People across Hampshire are due to be basking in blazing sunshine and Mediterranean temperatures today, with forecasters predicting the hottest day of the year so far.

Those stuck at work or school won’t miss out. It is expected to stay warm all weekend.

For thousands of music fans arriving for the Isle of Wight Festival it is a far cry from two years ago when the venue at Seaclose Park, Newport, turned into a mudbath after a month’s worth of rain fell in one night.

Revellers were dressed for the sunshine in shorts and T-shirts yesterday as they stocked up with supplies for the festival, which is being headlined by Kings of Leon, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Biffy Clyro.

Forecasters were predicting temperatures to hit 22C (72F) in Southampton today.

But as temperatures hit 23C (73F) on the Isle of Wight today festival-goers may be tempted to leave their wellies in their tents as they cake themselves in suntan lotion rather than mud.

People across Hampshire could be coaxed away from watching the World Cup on television and out into their gardens as temperatures on the mainland are expected to hit 22C, 5C warmer than the average for June and 7C warmer than this time last year.

Tomorrow and Sunday will be cloudy and slightly cooler at 20C (68F) to 21C (70F). There is a risk of light showers from tonight.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “The weather is likely to stay relatively settled but temperatures are likely to come down a little, back towards the average for this time of year, which is around 17C (63F).”

Earlier this week the Met Office’s long-range forecast suggested that this summer could be the hottest ever recorded.

This comes after the third warmest spring on record and last summer’s 20-day heatwave from July 3-23 when the top temperature recorded was 33.5C (92F) on July 22.