SUNSHINE is bringing smiles all round, as it bursts through to welcome spring in Suffolk.With temperatures soaring into the 60s as April unfolds, the warm weather of the Easter break looks set to continue.

SUNSHINE is bringing smiles all round, as it bursts through to welcome spring in Suffolk.

With temperatures soaring into the 60s as April unfolds, the warm weather of the Easter break looks set to continue.

Across Suffolk, flowers are blooming in full colourful display in parks and gardens.

The bright sunshine brought visitors flocking to Felixstowe, which was only slightly cooler due to coastal breezes.

The spell of warm weather has left tourist attractions, towns and villages across East Anglia enjoying more success than a record-breaking Easter weekend – in stark contrast to 12 months ago.

It seemed the weather made more people than ever were determined to enjoy a trip into the rural areas of the region as part of their Bank Holiday enjoyment.

The contrast between this year and the previous year could hardly have been greater.

Last April the countryside was fighting the foot-and-mouth epidemic with footpaths closed and many tourist attractions delaying their opening in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease.

Colchester Zoo is enjoying a busy week, and owner Dominique Tropeano said: "It has been very, very busy and people have come from all the way along the M25 corridor and as far away as Norfolk."

In Suffolk, Easton Farm Park, near Wickham Market, spokeswoman Fiona Kerr said: "It is certainly the best in the past five years and it is so nice to see so many people enjoying themselves."