Summer has finally arrived and Dorset is set to sizzle this weekend.

A tropical heatwave is set to sweep up to the UK from the Azores and temperatures are predicted to reach 30 degrees at the weekend in southern Britain, almost double the usual average of 17 degrees for this time of year.

The sunshine and blue skies are set to last into the middle of next week, according to the Met Office.

Dorset is predicted to swelter under temperatures of around 25 degrees.

Weymouth beach is expected to be a favourite spot this weekend as tourists and residents take full advantage of the weather.

Ahead of the heatwave, Gay Westlake from Maiden Newton was enjoying a family day out on Weymouth beach.

She said: "My sister and niece are visiting from Australia and we are absolutely loving the weather.

"It's the traditional seaside resort and that's what brings so many people here.

"It's lovely to still be able to come down to the beach and enjoy a donkey ride, like the good old days.

"What's also nice to see is so many people out, kids playing and families chatting, rather than being on their phones or iPads."

Her niece, Tasmin Turner, from Australia, said: "We come back over about every two years just to spend time with friends and family.

"We really didn't expect the weather to be like this, it's fabulous.

"We've come over before and it's done nothing but rain so we were nicely surprised.

"Weymouth beach takes me back to my childhood, just getting a bucket and spade and having a donkey ride on the beach."

Melanie Rush, custodian of West Hill Donkeys, added: "It has been quite a quiet week for us, but it has been nice to see so many people on the beach, splashing in the water and making their sandcastles.

"The hot weather this weekend will definitely give the area a boost and businesses will do well."

Owner of Rossi's Ice Cream Parlour on Weymouth Esplanade, Fulvio Figliolini - known as Figgy - is preparing himself for a hectic weekend.

He said: "As always we are looking forward to a wonderful summer but with this heatwave we're going to have to make sure we don't run out of ice cream as we don't want to disappoint any of our customers."