Sunny spring: Temperature set to rise over Easter Bank Holiday weekend

The world’s largest collection of hyacinths is a week late coming into flower this year because of the cold weather.

But forecasters say that after the recent chilly spell Britain is set to bask in warmer temperatures – with sunshine breaking through on Monday.

Temperatures over the Easter break will steadily rise to reach highs of 15C (59F).

Light showers are expected today in the North-west and South-east of England, with some brightness over western Wales and Cornwall.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Compared with the week we have just had, it is going to feel a lot more like spring.”

The cheering forecast came as the sweet-smelling hyacinths grown by green-fingered Alan Shipp reached their best – to the delight of three-year-old Lucas Browne, right, and his pet hen Brittany.

Alan, 77, grows 230 different varieties on his farm in Waterbeach, Cambs. It was in 1985 when Alan, then the third-generation owner of a struggling potato farm, began selling a handful of hyacinth blooms.

Now he is probably the country’s leading bulb farmer with an estimated 100,000 blooms on display.

A variety called Gloria Mundi is the latest addition to his stunning collection, which also includes plants grown from bulbs sent by enthusiasts in Lithuania and Holland.

White and red Gloria Mundi was thought to be extinct but Alan brought back the variety after learning a grower friend had some of the rare bulbs.

Grandfather Alan said: “The hyacinths are just at their very peak at the moment.

“We haven’t had any really cold weather but we have had rather a cold spring so they are about a week late.

I am very proud of my collection and to be one of the foremost experts on the oldest varieties.

“The collection is by far the largest in the world.”

While the weather promises warmer temperatures for Alan’s blooms, conditions are not so good for Easter travellers.

On the roads, jams are expected as the traditional getaway continues.

As a result of major engineering work on the West Coast main line, many people are expected to swap from rail to road, increasing the likelihood of jams.

Recovery company Green Flag said 54,000 breakdowns were expected over the weekend, with one puncture every minute.

Major engineering work at Watford means there will be no Virgin or London Midland trains in or out of London’s Euston station over Easter.

Virgin is “strongly recommending” train passengers not to travel.

Ticket company thetrainline. com estimated more than 79,000 people would travel by rail over the holiday despite widespread track improvement work.