GREAT weather for gardening will be returning over the weekend as a new heatwave hits Worcester.

Sunworshippers in the Faithful City, tired of the overcast skies and sporadic rain of the past couple of weeks, will be lifted as temperatures hit 24 or 25 degrees today and soar up to 26C, (79F) tomorrow - and it is set to get even warmer.

Evening News weatherman, Paul Damari, said the hot weather would be caused by high temperatures that had come from France, Spain and Scandinavia.

"A heatwave is on the way," said Mr Damari.

"It will be at its early stages this weekend.

"This weekend will be fine and warm with plenty of sunshine.

"Cricket matches and weddings will all be fine. It's good news for holiday makers and tourists."

Mr Damari said hot weather 28C to 30C (82F to 86F) would be prevalent for the first half of next week.

"It could linger for much of the week."

However the heatwave is unlikely to reach the temperatures recorded mid-July, when the mercury soared to 34.6C (94F)

Mr Damari said the heat would also bring humid nights of around 15C to 18C, (59F to 64F) which would cause people difficulty in sleeping and the heat could also trigger one or two thunderstorms.

He predicted a decent August ahead.

"August is going to be quite fine, very warm, hot weather with any thundery intervals short-lived," said Mr Damari.