Bank holiday heatwave as millions make most of the summer’s end

The bank holiday getaway was in full swing today as forecasters predicted a heatwave across the South-East.

Temperatures will reach 27C on Monday, and millions are likely to use road, rail and air to take advantage of the last bank holiday before Christmas.

However, some motorists have already faced five-hour delays after the busiest section of the M25 was closed following an accident last night.

Today is expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year. According to VisitEngland, 11.9million plan to travel within the UK, with forecasters saying hot air from the Continent will see temperatures peak on Monday.

"It's going to be a good weekend, although the fly in the ointment is that we may see some rain in London late on Sunday evening or early Monday," said Barry Grommet, from the Met Office.

For the rest of the weekend, temperatures of 22C are predicted.

Forecasters are also hopeful that the end of September could see another hot spell. "There are indications of high pressure building in the second and third weeks of September, so there is still the chance of some sunshine," said Mr Grommet.

But there was a frustrating start to the weekend for many drivers on the M25 after a petrol tanker crashed. The accident happened at the Redhill and M23 junction at about 4pm and the tanker spilled thousands of gallons of petrol which melted the road surface.

Police were forced to close the anti-clockwise lanes and junctions feeding clockwise lanes were also brought to a standstill by traffic forced to divert.

Charles Wartenburg, 75, from Edenbridge, Kent, was driving home after collecting friends from Heathrow. He said: "There was absolutely nothing moving - just gridlocked traffic as far as you could see. It was the worst jam I have ever been in. People had their car doors open trying to keep cool."

A Thomas Cook flight from Gatwick to Antalya in Turkey was delayed by more than two hours after the pilot was stuck in the traffic.

Joel Kersen, 20, from Watford, was taking his girlfriend Sophie Guest, 18, on holiday. He said: "All the passengers were incredibly frustrated. People think it's ridiculous."

The section of the M25 was highlighted in yesterday's Standard after motoring organisations warned it would be one of the worst congestion hotspots.

The anti-clockwise section of the motorway remained closed throughout the night for resurfacing work.