Sunday is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures topping 30C (86F), forecasters have said.

With Murraymania set to sweep Wimbledon on Saturday and England taking on the arch enemy Germany in the World Cup on Sunday afternoon, this summer's latest heatwave could not have come at a better time.

The hottest day of the year so far was May 24, when the mercury reached 28.8C (84F) at Heathrow Airport and the Olympic Park in east London.

But this weekend could be even hotter, with temperatures reaching 30C (86F) on Sunday afternoon. Saturday will be slightly cooler at 26C (79F) with London and the South East seeing the sunniest spells.

It will also be scorching in the west and Midlands, but sun-seekers in Northern Ireland and Scotland will be less fortunate as it will be cloudy and there is a risk of heavy showers, possibly even thunderstorms.

Weather forecaster Steve Ellison, from MeteoGroup, said the heatwave is being caused by a ridge of high pressure across central and eastern England.

He said: "It's looking pretty hot and sunny this weekend, especially across southern areas. The rest of Europe is pretty hot over the weekend too."

The weather is good news for sports fans.

In SW19, Murraymania will move up a notch on Saturday as Andy Murray takes on Gilles Simon in his third round match.

Wimbledon officials have taken measures to ensure spectators do not wilt in the heat.