BRITS are basking in a 27C scorcher today as summer finally returns - and it's here to stay.

       Sunseekers flocked to Britain's seaside hotspots to soak up the long-awaited rays today, as the country enjoyed the third day of a 12-day heatwave.

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       Brits are basking on the sand in Weymouth today Credit: ？Graham Hunt 6

       Sunseekers flocked to Britain's seaside hotspots, including Dorset Credit: ？Graham Hunt 6

       Boscombe Beach in Bournemouth was another popular spot Credit: BNPS

       And, after weeks of dreary rain and cloud, it looks as though the warmth is here to stay, with bright sunshine and soaring temperatures predicted for the final week of the school holidays.

       Today's highest temperature of approximately 27.2C in Perthshire made the Scottish county hotter than Portugal.

       In Madeira and the Algarve, the mercury was predicted to hit a comparatively meager 19C and 22C.

       And the weather is set to continue to scorch on, with Thursday and Friday seeing UK highs of 25C and 24C.

       Much of the UK will enjoy "dry and sunny spells" on Friday, a Met Office spokesman said.

       The clear-skies theme will continue into Saturday before thicker cloud on Sunday, but the national weather service stress this "doesn't take away from what will be a generally fine, dry day for most again".

       Western parts of the country will see highs of 22C on Monday, with "clear and sunny spells".

       This summer's heatwave kicked off on Monday with temperatures in the low twenties, rising to a balmy 26.3C in Strathallan, Scotland, yesterday.

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       And temperatures soared again today, with Brits packing out the coastline in Dorset, and lounging on the sand in Brighton.

       Bournemouth was another popular spot, with sunbathers lining the sand with mats and parasols.

       Those further inland chose to enjoy the nation's green spaces, with huge crowds seen wandering through London's parks.

       The Met Office's Alex Deakin said: "High pressure is bringing sunny skies and they will stick around for the rest of this week and into the weekend."

       The burst of sunshine is thanks to a heat plume bringing warmth from sizzling Spain.

       The heat is a welcome break after reports that this summer is already one of the most miserable for a decade, statistics reveal.

       The City of London has had 117 per cent of its usual August rainfall already, with 60mm of rain falling on the capital to August 17 - compared with 51mm usually seen over the entire month.

       Northern Ireland has had 90mm of rain - 90 per cent of its 97mm average for the month.

       East Anglia and north-east England have been the driest areas, having only had 43 per cent of their average August rainfall so far at 24mm and 30mm respectively.

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       Brits were seen lounging on the sand in Brighton Credit: PA 6

       Huge crowds were seen wandering through London's parks Credit: LNP 6

       Revellers enjoyed the sun in Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth Credit: Alamy