HERE'S a rarity - we've reached the spring bank holiday weekend and fine weather is being forecast!

HERE'S a rarity - we've reached the spring bank holiday weekend and fine weather is being forecast!

The last two late spring bank holidays in Suffolk have been washouts - two years ago flooding along the Suffolk coast decimated the nests of very rare bitterns.

But this year the forecast is much more positive, although there is the chance of a sharp shower or two on bank holiday Monday itself.

Organisers of bank holiday events have got used to having to make alternative plans.

One of the biggest events in Suffolk on Monday is the Framlingham Gala.

Two years ago it had to be abandoned because of monsoon-like conditions while last year organisers were determined to plough on despite a water-logged showground and heavy rain on the day.

This year they might get the odd shower or two moving up from France, but between them there should be warm sunny spells which will quickly dry everything out again.

And there's even more good news - long range forecasters predict fine weather should be here to stay throughout next week, including the Suffolk Show days of Wednesday and Thursday.

Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers said: “The main feature about the weather now is how warm it is - usually this weekend is very cold and miserable. We are going to get up to 23C (73F) over the weekend.

“There is a worry about heavy showers coming up from France on Monday - there's about a 70 per cent chance of them - but overall the outlook is pretty good.”

He said it was too early to be confident about the weather for the Suffolk Show.

“But they are talking about high pressure building up over the English Channel and that should mean the weather will be fine into next week - but there is no guarantee at this stage.”