As hot as the Med; MIDLANDS SWELTERS AS MINI HEATWAVE HITS BRITAIN.

Byline: BY ANUJI VARMA

SUN worshippers in the Midlands sweltered in temperatures rivalling the Mediterranean as a heatwave hit the UK yesterday.

Thermometers in Birmingham reached 30[bar]C (86[bar]F) - the warmest day of the year - and the rest of the region also basked in the heat.

Dean Snowdon, from Birmingham's Met office, said: 'Yesterday was very hot, especially in Birmingham city centre.

'Unfortunately, the sunshine will not last, with thunderstorms and heavy rain predicted today. It will also be very humid.'

But by tomorrow, Midlanders are set to lap up the sunshine again with the mini-heatwave continuing until Wednesday.

Shoppers in Birmingham city centre were dressing down in summer holiday clothes yesterday with bikini tops much in evidence.

And some dared to bare even more, cheekily enjoying the heatwave.

Visitors to the big Gardeners' World Live exhibition at Birmingham's NEC had a hot and sticky time of it, particularly in the outside show-tents.

Midlanders who headed for their favourite holiday resorts were hot under the collar, too, with beaches at Weston-super-Mare, Newquay and Brighton particularly busy.

In Brighton, sunseekers were flooding onto the beaches by 9.30am Low tide at midday meant huge expanses of exposed sand were pulling in young families, adding to the massive crowds.

The RAC has advised motorists to take it easy over the weekend and plan routes with care to avoid long, hot queues.

'The good weather could see an increase in traffic levels as people get out and take advantage of the hot spell,' a spokesman said. 'People should plan alternative routes if necessary and give themselves plenty of extra time for their journeys The Maritime and Coastguard Agency warned sunseekers to take extra care on the beach.

It was asking holidaymakers, especially parents and young children, to follow the advice of its new Sea Smart campaign and avoid getting into difficulties when swimming in the sea.

Chief coastguard John Astbury said: 'If you see someone in difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard

CAPTION(S):

SOAKING IT UP: Nat McGrath catches the sun in Sutton Park and, right, a youngster cools off in Brum's Centenary Square