People across Shropshire and Mid Wales were sunning themselves in a late Indian summer today, with weather forecasters promising that the autumn heatwave would continue into the weekend.

Temperatures were expected to hit 27 degrees celsius – into the 80s in fahrenheit – as high pressure continued to build over Britain.

After a grey summer the sunny skies have come as a welcome boost to the county.

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Shorts and t-shirts have made a comeback in Shropshire towns and farmers are rejoicing as they harvest their crops unhindered by bad weather. Shropshire woke today to a blanket of mist as people travelled to work and school.

But the sun soon burned off the damp air to leave a glorious day of wall-to-wall sunshine highlighting the autumn hues on the trees.

Paul Gundersen, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: “Warm southerly winds will bring a spell of fine, sunny autumn weather to most parts of the UK over the next few days. We’ll see maximum temperatures around ten degrees above normal for late September reaching 25C (77F) to 27C (81F) typically and possibly even nudging 28C (82F) on Saturday.”

But those planning to head for the Welsh coast over the weekend could be disappointed. With winds turning to westerlies coastal areas could be grey on Saturday.

And there is a warning that the cloud moving in on Sunday could bring some spots of rain as far as Shropshire in the afternoon.

The mini heatwave compares to an average maximum temperature for September of 19.1C (66F).