RESIDENTS in East Lancashire are today basking in the hottest weather of the year so far.

The mercury has risen as high as 31c across the region.

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The last time the area had weather as hot was more than 10 years ago according to Roy Chetham, Lancashire Telegraph’s weather expert.

Mr Chetham said: “Although we are experiencing hot weather, it is nothing compared to the records of temperatures as high as 36c set in 1976.

“The highest temperatures recorded in the UK was 38.5c in August 2003.

“The temperatures that have been cast are nothing exceptional and we have to go back 10 years to get 30c in this area.

“Last year in June and July we recorded the highest temperatures for the year at 29c and that is about what I would expect today.”

The warmer temperatures mean that ice cream parlours could be “rushed off their feet” according to some store workers.

James Pritchard, manager of Mrs P’s Luxury Ice Cream in Ramsbottom, said: “If the weather keeps its forecast of 30c, hopefully it’s going to be very busy.

“We do get rushed off our feet on such hot days but it does vary.

“Yesterday was a busy day and we had a couple of hundred people throughout the day but today could be even more.”

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Today will be another dry, fine and hot day with any cloud soon clearing away to give widespread sunshine.

“The maximum temperature will be 30c.”

The Met Office has also predicted there will be a handful of isolated thunderstorms before the week is out, but that temperatures would largely remain above average for the time of year.

A spokesman said: “It will still be warm and humid on Wednesday with heavy, thundery downpours.

“There will be a fresher feel on Thursday, though mostly dry with sunny spells.”

“There will also be sunshine and showers Friday, but staying warm.”