Cumbrians basked in wall to wall sunshine as the hottest day of the year lived up to expectations - but it's about to be washed away as heavy downpours are among today's forecast.

As temperatures soared to a staggering 27C, leaving the region hotter than parts of the Mediterranean, families made the most on the weather yesterday along the Cumbrian coast, in Carlisle parks and anywhere else they could enjoy being outdoors.

The same however can't be said for today as a weather front is set to bring heavy, thundery showers that have the potential to bring localised flooding, hail and frequent lightning.

As a result the Met Office issued a yellow warning for rain across the region which will be in force between 1pm to 11pm.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Skies will brighten following a band of showery rain, though rising temperatures will cause heavy showers to develop.

"While many will miss the worst, some places could see 20-30 mm in an hour or less."

Families flocked to Bitts Park in Carlisle to enjoy the sunshine while it lasted.

Excitable youngsters, kitted out with caps, sunhats, sun cream and swimsuits, screamed as they dashed through the water fountains and played in the park and sandpit.

Andy Jones, 34, from Stanwix, was spending some quality time with his youngest child, two-year-old Chester, who was in his element playing in the water.

"It's nice when it's a bit quieter through the week. It is lovely," said the dad-of-two. "He has enjoyed the weather and the water park. He was in straight away."

Joanne Irving, 38, had come from Annan with her children 18-month-old Eli, three-year-old Eadie (CORR) and Flora, aged five.

"There are no decent parks in Annan. Nothing like this," she said. "When I knew it was going to be hot this was where I thought about coming."

Sean Cutting, of Dowbeck Road, Carlisle, made the most of his day off spending time with his two-year-old nephew Louie.

"It's nice to see all the kids enjoying themselves but the water doesn't come on as often as it should. Other than that it's been brilliant," he said.

Friends Nadine Knowles and Chloe Flannagan, from Gretna, made their way to Bitts Park for a picnic as they were lucky enough to have the day off work.

Nadine, 19, said: "It's been lovely. Bitts Park is the best place to come."

Chloe, 18, added: "You never really get sun here do you, so it's nice to chill."

Scores of people soaked up the sunshine at St Bees. Nicola Sibson, manager of Hartley's Beach Shop and Cafe, said: "We have been really busy since Thursday. The schools have finished early today so it's absolutely packed."

At the time of speaking to the News & Star, Nicola said the queue for ice-cream was so long that people had to weave around the shop and some were queuing outside.

Apart from tomorrow's break, forecasters say the pleasant weather will continue throughout the Bank Holiday weekend into Monday.