SOUTHAMPTON is set to bask in a mini-heatwave which could last until the May bank holiday weekend.

The prospect of temperatures reaching 18C is good news for families making the most of their new-found freedoms as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

Many people - including those still on furlough - are likely to head for the city's parks.

Tourist hot-spots in the New Forest, including Hatchet Pond, near Beaulieu, also likely to be busy, along with beaches at Calshot, Lepe and Milford on Sea.

Traders selling products such as sunscreen and ice cream are among those set to benefit from the impact of wall-to-wall sunshine.

The good weather is also good news for pubs, which are currently allowed to serve only people sitting outside.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “Daytime temperatures will rise a little over the next few days.”

Some parts of the UK have already seen 18C sunshine.

The Met Office said temperatures were slightly above average for this time of year, when it is normally 12C or 13 in England.