But temperatures set to plummet after weekend heatwave

But forecasters are now warning that temperatures for the rest of the week could plummet by a staggering 10 degrees centigrade and forecasters warn it will fail to get up as high until the end of the summer.

Thousands of families flocked to the town’s parks over the weekend as the temperature reached a high of 29C (84F).

Ice cream vendor Hannah Rothwell said she ran out of most of her stock in what she described as ‘the most profitable May weekend ever’.

She said: “This was the type of weather that ice cream sellers dream of.

“I cannot remember it being this hot in May ever and I had people following the van wherever I went.

“I ran out of all the family favourites like Fabs and Cornettos and people were going mad for 99s.

“Although I obviously do well out of these days, it is great to see families out walking or playing together. It was just a fantastic weekend.”

Swindon’s newest water feature in the town centre got a baptism of fire when it became the focus for dozens of children who flocked to play in the water.

There was a similar scene at the Orbital retail park where children spent hours dashing in and out of the water jets outside Asda Wal-Mart.

Overflow car parks in Lydiard Park and Coate Water were both in operation on Saturday and Sunday with dozens of families snubbing the traditional roast dinner for a barbecue.

The warm spell is due to come to an abrupt end today with temperatures for Swindon expected to drop back to 18C (64F) with no sign of the scorching sunshine returning all week.

Early indications show that tomorrow the top temperature will be 15C (59F) with a similar picture on Thursday and Friday, all three days having some cloud or overcast sunshine.

By Thursday and Friday the night-time temperatures will be down to seven degrees centigrade. There is also a chance of some rain on Thursday and Friday evening.

If that wasn’t enough, meteorologists are warning of strong winds on Friday.