THE warm weather is set to return to East Lancashire this week, although rain showers are expected to follow.

Following the downpour and cooler temperatures on Saturday, the weather is set to improve over the next two days of April.

Sunshine is expected to dominate the skies across Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Burnley, Clitheroe, Rawtenstall, Colne and Nelson tomorrow morning but could turn cloudy around lunchtime. Temperatures are predicted to be mild, reaching heights of 15 degrees.

A Met Office spokesman said: "After a chilly, bright start Monday will be a dry day with plenty of sunny spells. In light winds it will feel warm in the sunshine. Maximum temperature will be 15 degrees."

It is set to remain warm for the rest of the week but forecasters have predicted that rain will hit parts of East Lancashire on Wednesday and Thursday.

A Met Office spokesman added: "Dry and bright for most of Tuesday. Cloudy with rain at times on Wednesday. Breezier, rather cloudy with rain possible later on Thursday.