BRIGHT autumn sunshine lifted the gloom brought on by a week of falling temperatures in Ipswich.The cold snap came after Suffolk had enjoyed a series of warmer-than-average mid-October days.

BRIGHT autumn sunshine lifted the gloom brought on by a week of falling temperatures in Ipswich.

The cold snap came after Suffolk had enjoyed a series of warmer-than-average mid-October days.

Maximum daytime temperatures fell to 13 degrees Celsius yesterday - with more cooler days expected following the break-up for school half-term holidays.

These pictures show Christchurch Park on a crisp, sunny day earlier this week.

Sam Pollard, park manager, said he expected the holiday and the autumnal sunshine to bring in scores more parents with young children as well as groups of teenagers who like to sit and chat on the lawns and piles of fallen leaves.

“If we get more weather like this people will come to have a look.

“The trees go red, orange, yellow and brown and look fantastic when they are set against the blue sky. It's my favourite time of year.”

Restoration work at the park is nearly complete and although fewer activities are planned this half-term Mr Pollard said there would be many more next year.

Maximum temperatures in Ipswich were expected to be 14 degrees Celsius today, with the wind barely rustling the trees at just one mile per hour.

Temperatures will reach 13 degrees tomorrow and on Monday and Tuesday, the Met Office predicts.

It's a contrast to last weekend when Ipswich enjoyed maximum temperatures of 18 degrees, six degrees above average.

A spell of high pressure has brought fine and settled weather but the clear skies and light winds mean a run of colder nights.

The onset of autumn, which officially began four weeks ago, follows a disappointing summer in which Britons had to face a worse than average August, the coldest since 1993.