Spring has arrived in London with another four days of balmy sunshine to follow the weekend’s unseasonably warm weather.

Temperatures across south and south west London are forecasted to reached 16C on Monday, topping the 15C measured on Sunday – the hottest day of the year so far.

Roads were clogged at the weekend with residents trying to reach local parks to make the most of the sunshine.

Coats and scarves worn only days ago were exchanged for shorts and flip flops – and even the occasional bikini.

Sunday’s hottest temperature, 15.7C, was registered in St James’s Park in central London.

The Met Office predicted the mild weather would last until Thursday, before maximum temperatures will return to below 10C.

Met Office forecaster Nigel Bolton said: "There is a large area of high pressure coming up from the Azores and that is going to remain over us for a few days, bringing fine and settled weather.

"If today is not the hottest of the year so far then it is likely to be Tuesday or Wednesday when we might see temperatures of 17C.

"London and the eastern parts of the country will have the warmest weather. It is a nice taste of spring.

"However, by about Thursday temperatures will drop below double figures and it will feel much colder."