THE mini-heatwave which has swept Britain looks set to end after forecasters predicted cooler temperatures and unsettled weather for the week ahead.

Sun worshippers have flocked to beaches and parks over the last few days as the country basked in unseasonably fine and hot weather, with the highest temperature reaching almost 28C (82.4F) in Bournemouth.

It has also led to a number of water-related tragedies including the death of a 15-year-old boy who drowned in a reservoir in Chorley, Lancashire.

MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said there will be gradual cooling during the week to come - culminating in a substantially cooler Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Showers are predicted for much of England and Wales by Thursday, with a chance of thunderstorms hitting central areas.

Forecaster Nick Prebble said: "Many places will see sun tomorrow, with temperatures peaking at 23C (73.4F) in London. But Scotland will feel much cooler and there is chance of a few spots of rain. On Wednesday, northern areas of the UK will be cooler with patchy rain.

"Further south in Yorkshire there will be heavy rain with a few rumbles of thunder. Temperatures will drop off considerably during Thursday and Friday with heavy showers across England and Wales. The highest temperature will be around 19C (66.2F) in London.

"There is no indication that the recent fine temperatures will continue into the weekend unfortunately, with maximum temperatures of 15-16C."

Forecasters say the biggest difference in temperatures will be north-east Scotland, which could be a lot cooler this week. Sunday's hot-spot was Wisley in Surrey, which had the highest temperature at 27.4C (81.3F). Last week was the driest since the end of March, according to the Environment Agency.

Warnings were issued about the dangers of cooling off in the water after the death of a man who drowned as he rescued two children from the sea. The 25-year-old who drowned off West Wittering beach, near Chichester, West Sussex, had gone to the assistance of two youngsters playing in a rubber ring.

The news came after the death of 23-year-old Nicholas Smith, who was pulled from the water in Linn Park near Simshill on the south side of Glasgow, and died later in hospital.