A mini heatwave hit Sussex as temperatures soared to record levels - but forecasters have warned it is not likely to last.

Yesterday was the hottest October 27 in 117 years, making it one of the five warmest Octobers on record.

The previous highest temperature for October 27 was 20.3C (68.5F) - measured in London in 1888 - but yesterday temperatures soared to 21C (70F) in London and 20C in some areas of Sussex. Children enjoying their half term break were treated to a day at the beach and seafront traders were busier than they have ever been at this time of year.

Yet forecasters are still predicting one of the severest winters in the last decade.

Siberian weather fronts are due to arrive by December plunging the country into a long deep freeze. Some experts are predicting a repeat of the winter of 1962-1963 when Britain was frozen from Boxing Day until April with temperatures averaging 2C (32F). A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "It looks more like August than late October on the seafront at the moment.

"There are lots of people out and about enjoying the sunshine, especially because it's half term.

"It's busier on the prom than in the water, but there are people paddling and children in swimming costumes, which is something you would never normally expect to see when it is almost November.

"Some families have obviously heard the weather forecast and decided to head for a day on the seafront to enjoy the Indian Summer."

Adam Chinery, of Brighton Water Sports, based on the seafront, said: "It is definitely an extended summer so it is all good news for the seafront traders as a lot of places are weather dependent. Some of the traders have probably locked up and gone on holiday so they've missed it, but I've seen some places which sell buckets and spades opening up."

A MET office spokesman said: "The reason it is so warm is because we are getting winds coming from the south - Spain and North Africa. I think some places in Sussex will get to over 20C and possibly 21C. It will probably be about 19C on Brighton seafront.

"But this will certainly not last and there will be rain over the weekend. People waking up on Friday morning will have a wet rush hour. Saturday might be quite mild, but Sunday might be raining again. There is also a general prediction that we will have a cold winter."