The mercury is at last set to skyrocket as parts of Norfolk are forecast to reach 30C this weekend.

A mini-heatwave will mark the summer weather finally arriving due to a change in the meteorological pattern bringing high pressure from southern Europe.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill warned that the exact temperatures may remain uncertain but the weather will still be "markedly hotter across the southeast of England".

Downham Market and Thetford are once again set to be the hottest areas in Norfolk reaching 30C at 3pm on Friday - the same as Barcelona.

The rest of Norfolk will only be marginally cooler with Norwich, Cromer and Diss seeing highs of 29C.

The Mediterranean temperatures will remain on Saturday with the mercury rising to 28C across the majority of the region.

The heat has led to a warning being issued by the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office which will be in place from 5pm on Thursday until 11pm on Saturday. 

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The warning highlights the threat of increased deaths among older and vulnerable people.

The county is also facing tropical nights if temperatures don't drop below 20C which may cause further problems for those at risk.

The mini heatwave may be short-lived with higher winds blowing cooler air over Norfolk on Sunday causing temperatures to drop into the low twenties.