Tyne Tees Newcastle

It has been the warmest day of the year so far - in fact it is the warmest April day for nearly 70 years for the UK as a whole.

Blue skies have dominated and you have been out with your cameras:

After a cloudy start the sun is starting to shine over the region.

Where we see the best of it temperatures will be WELL above the average for this time in April.

Although some stubborn cloud will take the edge off for some - the fine weather will last into the weekend.

There has been a lot over coverage over recent days about a 'heatwave' for the UK.

Headlines claim temperatures will be 'hotter than the Costa del Sol', 'warmer than Greece' and 'higher than California'.

So is there any truth in that?

It is indeed true that warm air is moving across the UK over the next three days. For some that will see temperatures as high as 24C.

For our region it is more likely to be in the high teens, but still above average for the time of year.

Although the top temperatures may well beat some more traditionally 'hot' countries it won't last.

Temperatures will be sliding back down as we look towards the weekend