Mid Wales will be basking in sunshine this week as the hottest April in almost a decade is set to continue.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will see the temperature reach as high as 20C as some parts of Powys will be hotter than Athens, Barcelona and Rome.

The Met Office says Wales is expected to have very warm days and mild nights with a risk of the odd shower.

Beauty spots such as Lake Vyrnwy will see highs of 20C on Friday and Saturday, while temperatures in Machynlleth, Newtown, Welshpool, Llanidloes and Builth Wells on Friday will reach 18C and 19C.

But many of Wales' beaches and open spaces will be largely empty as people are urged to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Forecasters said the expected hot spell is due to a large area of high pressure to the north of England making the days clear and bright.

Lake Vyrnwy
Wednesday (17C); Thursday (19C); Friday (20C); Saturday (20C)

Machynlleth
Wednesday (19C); Thursday (19C); Friday (18C)

Newtown
Wednesday (18C); Thursday (18C); Friday (17C)

Welshpool
Wednesday (18C); Thursday (18C); Friday (17C)

Builth Wells
Wednesday (18C); Thursday (18C); Friday (18C)

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: "There will be a bit of fog to start the day on Thursday, but that will clear up pretty quickly and there will be bright, warm sunshine across the whole UK. This will be the same for Friday, which could be hotter in some areas.

"This is because of a large area of high pressure that is hanging north of the UK. It also helps that there has been consecutive days of clear, hot days that have kept it going."