People across Shropshire and Mid Wales are set to bask in glorious barbecue weather this weekend as the mini-heatwave continues.

The mercury will rise as high as 20C (68F) today with highs rivalling some Mediterranean resorts. In Shropshire, temperatures were expected to peak at 19C (66F) this afternoon and 20C (68F) tomorrow, with forecasters predicting dry, warm weather.

The unseasonal conditions are expected to see many dusting down barbecues and reaching for the deckchairs.

Supermarkets are expecting a barbecue bonanza – with Tesco bosses hoping to sell a million bags of charcoal, 250,000 chicken pieces and 3.5 million sausages across the country.

Peter Briggs, Sainsbury’s store manager in Shrewsbury, said: “Obviously when it comes to this time of year we see a boost in sales of barbecues, charcoal and barbecue-related food.

“With the good weather people start thinking about their gardens, so we have seen improved sales right across the board.

“Beer has sold very well. I just hope the good weather continues until September, from a personal point of view as well as for trade.”

Andrew Perkins, store manager at Asda in Shrewsbury, said anything “warm weather related” was selling well. And Lee Harding, produce manager at Sainsbury’s in Telford, said salad packs, strawberries and garden items were selling fast.

But forecasters say our early taste of summer will fizzle out next week.

Billy Payne, forecaster at MeteoGroup UK, said: “Temperatures will be higher than average for the time of year. It will be more of the same tomorrow with dry and warm weather and highs of 21C (70F).

“It will start to turn colder on Monday with a front coming in from the north west bringing rain and showers. Temperatures will be back to average by the end of the week and the weather will be unsettled.”

Meanwhile, sunseekers looking to make a seaside getaway face a 10 per cent hike at the petrol pumps, it was claimed.

Labour said the Government’s three per cent VAT increase to 20 per cent was adding almost 3p to the cost of a litre of unleaded petrol which was now, on average, more than 10 per cent more expensive than it was last year.

By Wayne Beese