IT'S time to ditch those wintery coats and scarves and head off for a stroll in the sunshine – the days are getting warmer.Friday heralds the start of spring and with temperatures rising throughout the week it will begin to feel like it too.

IT'S time to ditch those wintery coats and scarves and head off for a stroll in the sunshine – the days are getting warmer.

Friday heralds the start of spring and with temperatures rising throughout the week it will begin to feel like it too.

Long periods of sunshine will continue all week following in the footsteps of Sunday's fine weather, which saw clear blue skies.

Sunday saw temperatures of 51F (11 C) and which will creep up throughout the week to around 57 F or 14 C.

"Sunday's temperature was surprising because it felt warmer," said Star weatherman Ken Blowers. "That was down to a combination of 10 hours of sunshine and light winds from the south east, although it was far from being the warmest day."

The warmest day so far this year was on March 9 and more surprisingly January 27, which saw temperatures at 58 F (14C).

Clocks go back one hour at 2 am on Sunday March 30 bringing with it lighter nights.