Kent is set for a glorious start to the week, with temperatures expected to reach 17C.

But people have been urged to make the most of the unseasonal warmth, with 50mph winds and rain due to hit the county later in the week.

The Met Office said today will be dry, fine and sunny once early morning mist and fog clears.

Temperatures will be hotter than Spain or Greece in Kent and across the South East thanks to a blast of hot air from the Caribbean.

There is even a chance it could be the hottest February day on record. The current high of 19.7C was recorded in 1998.

But the sunny conditions will not last, with a return to typical February weather expected later in the week.

A Met Office spokesman warned: "There is the potential for a deep low pressure system to develop on Thursday and this could bring quite a stormy period of weather with severe gales in parts.

"Strong winds are likely to track right across the central part of Britain affecting the south of the country; coastal regions could see large waves."