Londoners basked in the sunshine as temperatures soared higher than Istanbul in the capital.
The mercury hit 17.2C in St James’s Park on Sunday – six degrees higher than the Turkish city, the Met Office confirmed.
Sun worshippers took to the city’s green spaces to enjoy the warm spring weather as crowds of people gathered in the Royal Parks and on Hampstead Heath.
Forecasters said more sunshine will grace the capital on Monday as temperatures look set to hit highs of 19C.
Charlie Powell, from the Met Office, said: “Monday will be the nicest day this week with temperatures in parts of central London getting as warm as 19C.”
Tuesday looks likely to be a washout, Mr Powell added but sunny spells will return by Friday.
He said: “Tuesday will be the worst day this week, blighted with damp weather and clouds but the rest of the week looks as though the sunshine will return and continue into next weekend.”
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