Somerset is set to bask in sunshine today with temperatures in Taunton as hot as Torremolinos.

As the Queen celebrates her 89th birthday today, forecasters are predicting another day of balmy weather and blue skies.

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But the weather is then set to take a turn for the worse, with rain, cloud and cooler temperatures predicted for the second half of the week.

And for runners heading from Somerset to London, the change could see showers and breezier conditions in the capital this Sunday as tens of thousands of runners take part in the London Marathon.

Dan Williams, a spokesman for the Met Office, said most of Britain will enjoy good weather until Wednesday.

He said today will be "a good day for England and Wales with lots of blue skies and sunshine".

The mercury is expected to hit 18C (64F) in London which is higher than average for this time of year.

Mr Williams added: "Wednesday again is a decent day, there is a bit more cloud around along the eastern side of the country and up in Scotland but there will still be good sunny spells in the south and western parts of the UK, in Wales and the Midlands."

But he warned that things will cool slightly on Thursday and showers are expected to hit Britain at the end of the week.

Mr Williams said: "By Thursday a lot more cloud will be around in general and there will be light rain over Scotland.

"For most it will be a dry day still with some sunny spells, but generally that cloud is the herald of slightly more unsettled weather.

"The high pressure that has been dominating for the past few days moves over and we see a bit more of what you would expect this time of year."

Patchy rain and breezier conditions are expected to hit at the weekend, and could bring unsettled conditions as runners line up for the London Marathon.