Sunworshippers risk their lives to catch some rays on the crumbling cliffs as weather experts say it is going to heat up even MORE next week

Sun-deprived Brits were seen flocking to the scenic cliffs of East Sussex to enjoy the unprecedented warmth, despite coastguards warning them of the dangers of the loose rock.

Wildfires have also blazed through Scotland, as the UK experiences an unusually warm spring.

And families in South Wales gathered along beaches to play in the sand, with the weather promising to stay just as pleasant for next week.

This came after Friday was the hottest day of the year so far, peaking at 23.7C in Otterbourne, Hampshire, with temperatures in the UK soaring past Mediterranean favourites like Cyprus, Rhodes and Ibiza. 

But with the high today of 20.8C in Hurn, Dorset, sun-worshippers from Barry Island to Beachy Head were still wearing coats and hats as the biting wind meant it was too chilly to get to sunbathing.

Couples were seen sitting over the cliff ledge while families with young children were peeping over the ridge to the sea below. 

Despite Birling Gap Coastguards warnings for walkers to keep safe and stay away from cliff edges and bases, crowds gathered along the edge to enjoy the warmer-than-usual weather.  

Last week, a large crack appeared on the cliffs in East Sussex near the Belle Tout lighthouse.

Families on Barry Island gathered along beaches to play in the sand as the UK experiences an unusually warm spring

Couples were seen sitting over the cliff ledge at Beachy Head despite warnings from coastguards about the safety of the rocks

Crowds gather around the fountains in Trafalgar Square as temperatures rise in the capital - but Hurn, Dorset nabbed the temperature high title today with a balmy 20.8C

Cliff falls are common in the area, with one in 2021 only metres away from the latest crack, where tonnes of thunderous chalk collapsed onto the beach below, eating into the access path.

The coastguard said at the time this only showed the dangers of people getting too close to the cliffs.

Firefighters have also been battling large wildlfires in Galloway since yesterday, after the fire service issued a warning of extreme risk of wildfires this week due to dry weather and sunshine.

Emergency services were first alerted at 11.50pm on Friday to a blaze in the Glen Trool area, with helicopters deployed to tackle the blaze. 

Group Commander Garry Douglas, an SFRS tactical adviser, previously said: During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly, and burn with high intensity.

At this time of year in early spring, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation across large areas of countryside. This essentially acts as a fuel for fire.

A man stands over a crack in the cliffs of Beachy Head unaware that a rock fall is imminent soon

Tourists get dangerously close to the edge at Birling Gap despite the coastguards warnings to keep safe and stay away from cliff edges and bases

A man holds one small child whiler another totters on the cliff top precariously close to the cliff edge at Beachy Head

Cliff falls are common in the area, with one in 2021 only metres away from the latest crack spotted last week

Sunworshippers threw caution to the wind and inched closer to the view below as they took advantage of the warm weather

There are currently vast areas that are tinder dry and vulnerable, which provides all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.

Police Scotland have urged the public to stay away from the area, saying the blaze was also impacting the Merrick Hill, Ben Yellary and Loch Dee areas.

A similar wildfire had been reported in the area on Thursday and covered some 1.5 miles.

Mr Douglas added that human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors, especially over the coming days of predicted sunshine.

The warm spell is set to last despite cooler air moving down from the north, where Scotland saw a high of 18.3C and Northern Ireland with 17.2C.

Sunday is expected to reach a high of 17C across the UK - however, this is still well above the seasonal norm. 

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said the sunshine is getting stronger every day and it will still be pleasantly warm during the days as we go through next week if you’re not exposed to that wind.

Theres hints maybe it turns again a little bit warmer towards the end of next week. Its probably a little bit too early to say exactly how warm, but Id say probably at least above average for most, they added.

Families flocked to the beach on Barry Island to enjoy the sunny spell

The warm spell is set to last despite cooler air moving down from the north

Daring swimmers braved the cold water in the first plunge of the year for many

Children were seen playing on the beach at Barry Island and building sandcastles

Despite the unusually high temperatures for spring, a biting wind has brought a chill too, as beach-goers wrap up in hoodies

Strong winds made the beach day fresh for some families as a child is bundled up for warmth

Many beach goers were still wearing coats and hats as the biting wind meant it was too chilly to get to sunbathing

Moving in to next week, the sun will continue shining for most with some cloud beginning to linger in the far north-east on Tuesday

Moving in to next week, the sun will continue shining for most with some cloud beginning to linger in the far north-east on Tuesday.

Wednesday will see clear spells along the west still as clouds continue to gather along the east. 

Nights are still chilly, with mist and a chance of frost in some areas. 

Further ahead, the Met Office has forecasted for April 10-19 as widely dry and sunny at first with high pressure across the UK, although cloudier in some parts of the far north and far east, perhaps with some light drizzle at times.

Winds are likely to be light with temperatures above normal away from windward coasts, it added.

A gradual change to a more unsettled weather regime is likely thereafter, with Atlantic frontal systems or showers from the south making inroads across the UK.

This is expected to herald a wetter period with showers or longer spells of rain at times, which could be heavy and thundery in places.

This could be accompanied by strong winds, particularly in the south and west. Temperatures are likely to gradually return closer to normal. 

But the end of the month could become unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain across many areas and temperatures around average.

Sunbathers took to Wimbledon Common today as the warm weather continues

The UK saw its warmest day of the year so far on Friday as temperatures went above 23C

People out along The River Thames enjoying the afternoons sunshine

Spring blossom bloomed in Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park where the Met Office have forecast temperatures of 16C for Saturday and 17C for Sunday

People enjoyed the weather in Greenwich Park yesterday when it was the warmest day of the year so far

A 16-year-old boy went missing while swimming in a lake at Beckenham Park Place in Lewisham

The Met confirmed that emergency services are currently co-ordinating a search

 A return to more settled conditions is likely during the last part of April with high pressure becoming more dominant.

This settled theme continues into early May, although some spells of wetter, unsettled weather remain possible, especially in the south. Temperatures are expected to be above average.

Last month was the sunniest March in England since 1910, when records began, with only 43 per cent of the usual rainfall expected.

Two children have  been involved in water-related incidents during the current dry spell. 

A 16-year-old boy went missing after he got into difficulty in a lake in Lewisham, south-east London, the Met said.

And a 16-year-old boy in Cambridgeshire also got into difficulty after swimming in a lake.