Lancashire is set to be hit with a heatwave this week, with temperatures climbing as high as 27 degrees, set to make the county as hot as Portugal.

Residents will have to make sure to pack plenty of sun cream and fire up the barbecue as the North West is expected to experience glorious sunshine.

There will be a mid-week peak on Wednesday with temperatures expected to see highs of 27 degrees.

The rise in heat will begin today, July 29, and continue to rise until Thursday, August 1.

The Met Office has stated conditions will become “increasingly warm” as the week goes on with clear skies, sunny weather and no rain predicted all week.

Deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, David Hayter, said: “As we go through the weekend, the jet stream will weaken to the west of the UK generating an area of high pressure that will slowly move in across the UK.

“High pressure means the air is sinking from higher in the atmosphere and that brings drier, settled and sunnier weather.”

And there are plenty of things to do across the county to soak up the sunshine with the school holidays just getting underway.

After being open for a year, Go Ape in Blackburn offers a fantastic day out for all thrill seekers with the treetop adventure course costing £20.

Yarrow Valley County Park, and its 185 acres of extensive conifer forest and moorland, provide a perfect free day out to enjoy the Lancashire countryside.

A trip to the beach is a must when the warm weather finally arrives, and the county is blessed with beautiful coastlines including Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes.

And with one of the UK's most vibrant seaside towns right on our doorstep, a trip to Blackpool is always a great way to spend a sunny day.

With the famous Blackpool Tower, the excitement of an afternoon at the Pleasure Beach or a donkey ride, there is plenty on offer.

Five-day Met Office forecast for Lancashire

Today: 25 degrees – sunny changing to partly cloudy by night-time.

Tuesday, July 30: 22 degrees – sunny intervals.

Wednesday, July 31: 26 degrees - sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by night-time.

Thursday, August 1: 23 degrees – sunny intervals.

Friday, August 2: 23 degrees - sunny intervals changing to cloudy by night-time.