Heavy and persistent showers have been forecast for Swindon over the coming weeks spelling a gloomy start to the school holidays.

Rain will fall heavily in the town this weekend with the adverse weather continuing throughout the next two weeks according to the Met Office.

All day on Saturday there will be showers in Swindon with Sunday set to brighten later in the afternoon before a week of more downpour.

Rachel Ayers, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “At the moment it’s divided, we sit on the cold side of the jet to the north of it, we’ve got low pressure coming.

“It can stay like this for quite a while as it has been for the last few weeks and it’s hard to say when it will all break down, it’s not looking like anything will soon.”

Despite the forecast of heavy rain, it is hoped that the weather will improve throughout August.

“Looking at a longer range, it will be cool and changeable, into the second week of August it could be a little more settled,” added Ms Ayers.

“But it doesn’t mean we’re not going to see any settled interludes in the meantime, on Tuesday we’ve got a nudge of high pressure which means showers will be less heavy and more isolated, so it’ll bring a more settled day.