BERLIN, Budapest and even Barcelona had nothing on Bolton as temperatures soared across the borough.

At the weekend temperatures topped 16C — and the sun has been shining ever since.

Families flocked to Queens Park and Moss Bank Park and other green hotspots to make the most of the pleasant conditions that came 11 days before the official start of spring.

The weather was even better for the people of Maidenhead in Berkshire, where temperatures hit 19C, compared with just 14C in Barcelona and other parts of Spain.

The Bolton forecast is not quite so good for those hoping the warm weather will continue. According to the Met office, the highest temperature today and tomorrow will be 11C.