Sun worshippers are set to sizzle in the spring heatwave, with temperatures continuing to rise across Oxfordshire.

Thousands of us have been taking to parks and enjoying the countryside and riverbanks as we enjoy a welcome burst of sunshine.

Pub gardens and cafe terraces  have been packed and attractions like Blenheim Palace - which is hosting a weekend-long jousting tournament - reported large crowds soaking up the atmosphere - and the sunshine.

Today's temperatures are set to reach 22C in Oxford and the north and west of the county and 23C in south Oxfordshire - topping yesterday's averages of 21C in the city and 22C further south and east.

Tomorrow will be hotter still, reaching 23C in Oxford and 24C along the Thames valley in Wallingford and Henley. 

The mercury could hit 28C elsewhere in the country - making it the hottest May Bank Holiday Monday since records began.

The May Bank Holiday was introduced in 1978 and the temperature has never topped the 28C mark since then.

Bank Holiday Monday in 1999 was 23.6C, while the hottest bank holiday weekend ever was in 1995 when temperatures peaked on the Saturday at 28.6C.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the South East would feel the heat most.

He said: "It looks likely we'll at least see our warmest Bank Holiday Monday on record on Monday.

"23.6C is what we've got to beat, and we're forecasting highs of at least 26C, 27C, possibly 28C, so I think we can safely say that's going to be beaten.

"But whether or not we will beat the record for the whole weekend put together, we'll be close, but at the moment looking at it we may just come short."

The average daytime high for the month of May is around 17C.

The record highest temperature for May is 32.8C which was recorded in 1922 and 1944.

Bookmaker Coral has cut the odds on this month seeing the hottest May Day Bank Holiday Monday ever recorded to 6-4 from 2-1.