THE SOUTH bathed in glorious sunshine over the bank holiday weekend helping to attract bumper crowds to scores of events across the region.

Temperatures reached a seasonal 24 degrees celsius along the coast of Hampshire.

As the final week of the school holidays gets under way forecasters are predicting the best of the weather is yet to come - the say the mercury should rocket into the high 20s tomorrow.

A Met Office forecaster said: "The south has certainly had the best of the weather although the sea breeze has kept the temperatures to around the seasonal average.

"Wednesday looks likely to be the hottest day of the week with temperatures up in the high 20s combined with a warm south-easterly wind bringing warm air from the continent."

The sunshine ensured large crowds at carnivals, fetes and charity events held across the county including the Hampshire Pageant of Motoring at Broadlands.

Thousands of historic vehicles converged at Lord Romsey's stately residence for the finale of the largest motoring event on the south coast.

During the two-day event motoring enthusiasts admired custom cars and sports cars from all periods as well as classic commercial vehicles and buses. The Fire Force Jet Car also wowed crowds with its 50ft flames.

The Brockenhurst carnival proved a big draw with families who were treated to a parade of imaginatively decorated floats parading through the village.

Fort Nelson near Fareham also played host to crowds of visitors over the weekend as a re-enactment was staged of the storming of the fort.

The fine spell of weather is set to continue well into the last week of the summer holidays.

But forecasters are urging families to make the most of the sun as the weather could turn about the same time the youngsters return to their classrooms.

"It looks like the sun could go out with a bang as the hotter weather could well bring a storm towards the end of the week and there is also the chance that come Saturday there could well be rain," added the forecaster.