Perfect weather for gardening on Good Friday in Northants .. so remember to #StayHomeSaveLives

If you have some Easter gardening to get done, get it done early.

Politicians, police and travel organisations are all warning people to stay at home one what would normally be one of the busiest weekends for Northamptonshire's roads, parks and attractions.

But weather watchers predict temperatures in the 20s for Northamptonshire over the first two days of the four-day weekend, perfect for cutting the grass, a bit of fence painting or a back garden barbecue for the household.

But Sunday and Monday threatens to be a bit of a washout followed by some early-morning frosts next week!

Met Office chief meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said: “The Easter weekend starts dry and warm for many with temperatures possibly reaching as high as 21 °C in Northamptonshire on Friday and Saturday.

“As the weekend continues, though, there is an increasing risk of showers -- some of which could be heavy or thundery.

“And by the start of next week, although it will be drier and sunnier again it will definitely feel cooler with temperatures reaching the mid-teens at best.

“Many of us will see plenty of dry, settled weather with sunny spells next week with temperatures likely to be slightly above normal. But there will be a return to a risk of frosts overnight in places, especially in central areas.

Lockdown measures are still in place to slow the spread of Covid-19 with the number of coronavirus-related deaths now reaching more than 50 at the county's two acute hospitals at Northampton and Kettering and over 7,000 across the whole UK.

Northamptonshire Police have warned they are stepping up enforcement of the laws keeping people at home unless they absolutely need to be out after reports increased of people being out in last weekend's warm weather.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley said: "If people continue to flout the law then they will be fined and if appropriate they will be arrested."

And County Council leader Matt Golby added: “There are clear signs that social distancing measures and the lockdown are starting to have an impact on infection rates but cases continue to increase locally and so we must continue to keep to the guidelines.

“I would urge us all to keep up the good work so we are united in beating this virus and protecting our county.”