Drivers in Shropshire and Mid Wales were today warned to expected hold-ups as hundreds of families headed for the coast to take advantage of a sunny Easter weekend.

Mercury levels across Shropshire and Mid Wales were expected to soar with temperatures expected to hit up to 19C (61F) in the region, with the UK expecting to have better weather than continental Europe.

While many people flew abroad, those staying at home were promised good weather with blue skies and sunshine throughout the weekend, with temperatures as high as 20C (68F) by Easter Monday.

Thermometers could well reach higher levels in the UK than in continental Europe, with Britons heading overseas possibly enduring rain and cloudy skies.

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said the average temperature for this time of the year was 12C (54F) but high pressure meant it was going to be warmer over the weekend, including Bank Holiday Monday.

He said the southern areas of the county would see the warmest weather with the north seeing temperatures of 14C-16C (57F-61F) and the coast slightly cooler.

It was a quiet start for the roads yesterday before traffic started to build-up from around noon.

The A5 and roads from Shropshire to the Welsh coast were expected to be busy today.

Drivers on the M6 faced delays yesterday after an eight-vehicle crash on the M6 at junction 16 near Stoke left two people dead and one seriously injured.

The accident, which involved five lorries, two vans and a car, happened in foggy conditions at junction 16, near Stoke-on-Trent at about 4am. Traffic on the M5 near Bristol and the M40 near Bicester in Oxfordshire were also busy.

A spokeswoman for Trafficmaster said: “It was very quiet early on but the evening rush-hour began early yesterday. We expect things to be busy again today on roads leading to the coast.”

Airports reported a busy but trouble-free day yesterday as millions flew out to destinations.

By Lisa Rowley