PEOPLE in Weymouth are being urged to take advantage of the good weather as a mini-heatwave hits the area.

The Met Office predicted a sunny day for today in Weymouth with temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius.

Tomorrow could be much the same with temperatures hitting 17 degrees Celsius.

Melanie Rush, owner of West Hill Donkeys, urged people to get outside and see the donkeys on Weymouth Beach.

She said: “It’s going to be beautiful. I think everybody should come to the beach and enjoy the entertainment and the seaside.

“They should make the most of the sunshine.

“It’s definitely a boost to trade.”

Saturday will see sunny intervals and temperatures hitting 19 degrees Celsius.

Dave Price, chairman of Weymouth and Portland Hoteliers and Guesthouse Leaseholders’ Association said Weymouth had its own ‘micro-climate’.

He said: “The whole of the country having a good forecast for the next few days is obviously good news.

“We are looking forward to having lots of people come down over the next week.

“Hopefully it will get more people down for the bank holiday weekend.”

Mark Anderson, co-founder at Sandworld, said the weather helped bring out the crowds after a long cold winter.

“We’ve had an excellent start to the season. Long may it continue.

“People are coming in their droves. It’s the best Easter I’ve had for a few years.

“The economy seems to be recovering. People are more willing to spend money. It reminds me of the good old days.”

Sunday will be cloudier but dry, whilst Monday will see the return of heavy rain showers.

Councillor Ian Bruce, brief holder for tourism and culture, said: “Weymouth and Portland is a wonderful place to come even when the sun doesn’t shine.

“Unfortunately sometimes when the weather forecasters tell everybody it’s going to rain - and we then have a wonderful weekend - lots of people are put off from coming to enjoy the sunshine but it all looks good this time.”