IT could be time to reach for the suntan lotion and head to the beach in the coming week with temperatures in South Wales set to reach 21°C.

Gwent is to get an early “taste of summer” with warm air from France and Spain bringing some very welcome sunshine.

Tredegar could be as sunny as Torremolinos and Newport as bright as Nice on the French Riviera with Cwm even warmer then Kefalonia in Greece next weekend.

After months of miserable snow, rain and frosty mornings, spring has finally sprung and particularly fine weather is forecast for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday after a fairly disappointing Tuesday which will bring showers.

Perfect barbecue weather is expected throughout the region on those days with Monmouthshire getting the pick of the weather with temperatures peaking at 21°C, although Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent residents need not fear too much as they won’t be too far behind.

Writing on Twitter, senior meteorologist Derek Brockway said the UK would enjoy “a taste of summer” this week.

He said: “Next week a U shaped Jet Stream over the Atlantic will allow high pressure to build over Scandinavia.

“SE winds will bring warmer air to the #UK from France and Spain.

“Temperatures next Thursday rising into the 20s! A taste of summer probably lasting 2 or 3 days.”