Image copyright PA Image caption The cool of the Cam gave relief from top temperatures in Cambridge

Parts of the UK have had the hottest day of the year so far - with temperatures hitting 25.5C in Cambridge.

Many areas in England and Wales reached at least 20C, the Met Office said.

The East Midlands and parts of East Anglia were among the sunniest areas, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have been cooler at 16C and 15C.

Forecasters said temperatures would return to spring levels by Monday - dropping by as much as 10 degrees.

Trapped leg

In Somerset, firefighters said they used bolt croppers and cutters to free a woman whose leg was trapped in a sunlounger.

She was also given oxygen and an ambulance was called.

In Leicestershire, a country park suffered a "devastating" fire - which may have been caused by a barbecue or a discarded cigarette butt.

Forecasters warned people not to get caught out by the sun, which can be as strong in April as in August and September.

Temperatures are forecast to cool on Monday, however.

BBC Weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker said: "Over the next 24 hours those areas that were warmest today will experience at least a 10 degree drop.

"Today warm air was wafting in from France; tomorrow cooler air will be streaming in from the north Atlantic."

Image copyright PA Image caption A couple enjoy the sun in Stockton Heath, Cheshire

Image copyright PA Image caption Perfect canal boat weather at the Bridgewater canal in Lymm, Cheshire

Image copyright AFP Image caption Temperatures reached 25 in London

Image copyright AFP Image caption People flocked to Brighton beach...

Image copyright AFP Image caption ...and hit the waves offshore