The sunny spring weather which has delighted Scots in recent days is to continue today, but it will be gone by the weekend.

Above average temperatures could reach as high as 19C in Glasgow today, according to the Met Office.

Public places such as George Square and the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow in recent days have been busy with people taking in the surprisingly summery sun.

In Edinburgh, although the skies may be encumbered by cloud and mist at first, warm sunshine will arrive in the afternoon and temperatures could reach 18C.

However Scots should make the most of the balmy weather while it lasts as it is set to turn cooler and more unsettled, with rain and cloud predicted for the weekend.

Yesterday (tue), in some parts of the UK temperatures hit a high of 20C, which made the country hotter than the popular holiday island of Ibiza.

However, rain and clouds and temperatures of 10C and 12C are predicted for Glasgow by the weekend, with similar conditions and temperatures in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Helen Roberts of the Met Office, said: "It is above average for this time of year.

"The warmth has been down to the amount of sunshine, which has come from an area of high pressure and the air, which is coming from the south which is warm for the UK."

A band of cloud is expected to send temperatures dipping at the end of the week and showers will hit at the weekend.

The forecaster said: "There is a change under way later in the week, especially into the weekend when it will turn more unsettled.

"There will be some showers with longer spells of rain at times and things will turn a little bit cooler.

"So just about anywhere could see a shower from Friday to Sunday, but that doesn't mean everywhere will."