Temperatures could reach highs of 21 degrees in Cumbria over the Easter weekend, forecasters predict.

The Met Office is forecasting a warm and sunny bank holiday weekend for the county, with rain unlikely.

Friday is likely to be the hottest day, with more cloud around on Sunday.

A spokeswoman said conditions are expected to be perfect for outdoor activities - even warning of the risk of sunburn.

"We are looking at quite a warm, settled and sunny at times Easter for much of Cumbria," she said.

"There is going to be some cloud around, but certainly temperatures will be in the high teens or low twenties for the start of the weekend.

"There is a little bit of uncertainty still about bank holiday Monday, but certainly on Friday we are looking at fine dry weather and temperatures that could creep up to 20 degrees C, or even 21. There should be plenty of sunshine."

Conditions are expected to remain in the high teens on Saturday and Sunday, but with a little bit more cloud around.

She added: "As we go through Sunday and Monday we start to see a shift in the weather.

"There is a weather front coming down from Scotland, spreading more cloud. There is a very small risk that we might see a shower in the afternoon and we are probably looking more at temperatures in the mid to high teens, rather than high teens to early twenties."

Monday will be similar, but with increased chances of sunshine in the afternoon.

The Met Office urged people to be prepared and not get caught out by the sunny spell.

"Obviously with warmer weather there is an increased risk of sunburn," added the spokeswoman.

"It can catch people by surprise so it is worth thinking bout covering up or using suncream."