Britain could sizzle in a mini-heatwave next week after a wash-out start to July.

A “ridge” of high pressure will bring sunnier weather across the country by the end of the week, according to the Met Office.

And now experts at Exacta Weather say it’s looking more likely that the warmer temperatures are building up to a sizzling heatwave.

After a cooler weekend with most of the country hit by showers, warmer temperatures are expected to return by tomorrow (Tuesday, July 9).

Experts at Exacta expect conditions to be even warmer by Thursday (July 11) with some parts of the country reaching the mid to high 20s.

And the high pressure build-up could see temperatures skyrocket into the 30s from Tuesday.

Exacta Weather said: “From in and around Thursday/Friday (11–12 July) and into next weekend, we will see high pressure becoming more influential on our overall weather pattern, and this will see conditions turning much warmer than of late over several days and will also bring potentially humid feeling conditions for many.

“These temperatures could easily reach as high as the mid to high 20s in some places and 20C or higher in some other parts further north to begin with during this period in the best of the summer sunshine due to its strength at this time of year (something not showing elsewhere for the majority of last week).”

According to the forecaster, this could be the start of a change in weather that will keep us in warmer temperatures for the rest of the month and even into the start of August.

Exacta added: "What does warrant importance is the high pressure build and possibly extreme temperatures (mid to high 30s) for the days to follow on from this and for in and around July 16–17 onwards."

The Met Office says the drier, sunnier conditions have been stirred up by a "ridge" of high pressure, and they are likely to continue into the mid-month. It says parts of the country could still see showers over the next few days but with warm and sunny spells.

The agency's long-range forecast states that much of the country will feel "pleasant" with light winds and sunshine, with limited "chilly" nights.

It says: "Many areas should start this period mostly dry as a ridge of high pressure dominates the UK. It should feel pleasant enough in mostly light winds and sunshine, with temperatures generally near average, but some rural areas could experience chilly nights."