Parks and lakes across south west Hertfordshire were packed with sun worshippers today, as the start of the summer we have all been waiting for finally arrived.

Cars queued up for a coveted parking space at Cassiobury Park, and at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome, the Cafe in the Park ran out of ice-cream and had to call in emergency rations.

Bury Lake Young Mariners and the Colne Valley Sailors made the most of the sunshine while its here, taking to the Aquadrome for an afternoon's sailing.

Dom Hall, from the CVSS, said the mix of a steady breeze and blazing sunshine made for perfect conditions on the lake.

Keith Paddick and his nine-year-old Labrador Mac from Dickinson Avenue in Croxley Green were also in the Aquadrome, cooling down with an ice-cream.

Wednesday is set to be the hottest day of the week, with highs of 28 degrees Celsius and gentler winds.