Scousers dance, sunbathe and eat ice cream in temperatures hotter than Madrid

Scousers dance, sunbathe and eat ice cream in temperatures hotter than Madrid

Groups of people gathered in the glorious sunshine down at the Pier Head

Scousers danced, sunbathed and ate ice cream at the Pier Head this afternoon as temperatures soared above 20C.

Forecasters predicted the UK would be basking in blistering sunshine by the end of May as an extreme weather front dubbed the "Africa plume" sweeps across the country. BBC weather predicted temperatures would reach 21C in Liverpool this weekend, which is higher than the 19C forecast for the Spanish capital Madrid.

Temperatures peaked in Liverpool at around 4pm today – and people all across the city took full advantage. The city centre train stations were full as people headed off to beaches across Merseyside.

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Liverpool FC's final home match of the season, versus Aston Villa, kicked off at 3pm and was played in glorious sunshine. And down on the Pier Head, people made the most of the blue skies.

Groups of free-style dancers gathered in front of the Liver Building to take it in turn to impress each other, while a pair of Latin dancers glided seamlessly across the ground. Others lounged around taking in the view across the Mersey, while the queue for ice cream and refreshments stretched along the Pier Head.

Sunday is also looking bright with the mercury rising to 20c around 2pm, with sun expected to last right up until 9pm.

1. Crowds gather to dance

   

2. Skateboarders jumped cones in the sun

   

3. Two Latin dancers strutted their stuff

   

4. People kicked back and enjoyed the view

1. Taking a well-earned break in the sun

2. The afternoon sun got a bit too much for some…

3. People stopped shopping to catch a tan

1. Refreshments were on hand at the waterfront

2. The waterfront looks a bit different to Eurovision last week…

3. Little and large