THE south's glorious summer continues this week with temperatures remaining well above the norm for September.

Hampshire has been basking in warm sunshine for the past few days and temperatures have been in the mid 20s.

Forecasters predict the warm spell will continue this week before it begins to cool at the weekend.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "We have had temperatures over the past few days of around six degrees above what we would

normally expect for the beginning of the autumn season.

"Normally temperatures for this time of year would be about 18C. But in the south it has been getting up to 25C (76F) because of an area of high pressure over the country. It will be with us for the next few days.

"It's good for some but I know there are a lot of gardeners who are crying out for rain.

"There could be slight blip by the weekend and some fog that will burn off but if there is any rain, it will not be a significant amount."