A MINI-HEATWAVE is set to hit the UK sending temperatures soaring into the 30s.

The mercury is set to hit 27C in Blackburn - making it hotter than Istanbul.

The hot spell will hit the country in time to bask Wimbledon fans in sunshine as they queue for strawberries and cream, and flock to Henman Hill to see Andy Murray in his quest to win a second title.

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From Monday southern parts of the UK will see the mercury rising into the high 20s, with the possibility of temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) by Tuesday.

Scotland could also see temperatures in the low to mid 20s.

The warm front moving in from Europe will see the weather remain hotter than usual until Thursday, when it will give way to thunderstorms in the south.

Nicola Maxey from the Met Office said: "Monday is still looking fairly cloudy, but that starts to break up in the afternoon for parts of the southern half of the UK and down to the east coast.

"Tuesday will be quite sunny for England and Wales, slowly clearing towards the north. Certainly much of England and Wales is going to see areas of prolonged sunshine.

"Temperatures could reach the low 30s, and there is a slight chance that they will reach the mid-30s in the south."

She added that the weather would be hotter than the average 20.9C (67F) for July.

The nights will also be warm, with temperatures on Monday expected to average around 14C (57F) in the south.