Thunderstorms following a scorching bank holiday will usher in a cooler, brighter week.

Thunderstorms continue to be likely this week after Spring Bank Holiday Monday saw one of the hottest days of the year.

Temperatures on Monday reached as high as 26C at Santon Downham, but Weatherquest said in a post on Twitter that while there is a chance of rain and thunderstorms across Essex today, much of the region will be 'dry with sunny spells, although rather cloudy and misty near the coast'.

The Met Office is warning of a risk of thunderstorms and heavy showers in the region today, with early mist and cloud slowly clearing throughout the day, with maximum temperatures of 24C.

On the coast, Weatherquest said temperatures will be 13C.

For later this evening the Met Office said: 'Cloud thickening with thundery showers after midnight, possibly merging into longer spells of heavy rain at times. Turning misty, perhaps with fog patches in places. Minimum temperature 12C.'

Thundery showers are also predicted for Wednesday afternoon, with possible longer spells of rain and maximum temperatures of 23C.