SUFFOLK had one of its warmest December nights on record with temperatures in the Ipswich area not falling below 13C (55F).That is six degrees warmer than the average December day temperature - and has been caused by a blast of sub-tropical air blowing up from below the Azores.

SUFFOLK had one of its warmest December nights on record with temperatures in the Ipswich area not falling below 13C (55F).

That is six degrees warmer than the average December day temperature - and has been caused by a blast of sub-tropical air blowing up from below the Azores.

The mild winter has caused spring bulbs to push through in gardens - and insects are still active.

But the Met Office warns this could all be about to change. An icy blast is heading our way for the weekend - temperatures on Saturday and Sunday are expected to be much nearer the average for mid-December and there will be overnight frosts.

Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers said today: “The mild weather has been caused by depression after depression blowing up from the warm areas, but at the weekend we should get an anticyclone taking over which will change the feel of things quite a bit.”

However weather forecasters predict that the mild weather could return next week - and the chances of a White Christmas look very remote.