A SPRING heatwave is set to fizzle out this weekend just as people in the town started to flock outside to soak up some early rays.

But forecasters say the sunshine which marked the start of British Summer Time is here for a couple of days, with temperatures hitting around 20C (68F).

As temperatures rose to an unseasonal 19C – double the norm for March – those lucky enough not to be in work have enjoyed the glorious sunshine this week.

Many were out in Old Town Gardens yesterday.

Leanne Wood, 27, mum-of-one said: “It is lovely to have this period of nice weather and with a young child it means we can get out of the house. We had similar weather at the same time last year so maybe it is a sign of the times.”

Restaurants and bars in Swindon saw double the usual number of customers, with shops also seeing an increase in sales of barbecues and ice cream.

A Met Office spokesman said temperatures over the weekend were similar to Madrid and Paris and 10C warmer than San Francisco.

The outlook the rest of the week suggests that Swindon will continue to bask in the fine and warm conditions, says the Met Office.

The weather will take a turn for the worst by the weekend, though, with cloud, rain and temperatures easing down to seasonal norms.

A spokesman said: “There won’t be much change over the next few days with sun and warm weather. Later in the week it will get cloudier and more unsettled with temperatures getting back to normal.”