FORGET the Costa Del Sol, Southampton was yesterday basking in temperatures our continental friends would be proud of.

Temperatures in the city soared to a scorching 22C (71F) beating those in Barcelona, Athens, Rome and Marseilles.

As weather forecasters predict the mini-heatwave to continue through much of the Easter weekend, Hampshire's tourist attractions are gearing up for a bumper bank holiday.

Paultons Park at Ower, one of the area's biggest family attractions, is expecting up to 7,000 people to pass through its gates tomorrow.

Marketing manager Anne Ruffel said: "Good Friday is always one of the busiest days of the year, but the recent fine weather will definitely boost our visitor numbers. We have already sold hundreds of tickets for the weekend."

Last Easter 2.6 million Britons holidayed in the UK, spending more than £400m, but the recent balmy climate looks set to make this Easter one of tourism's most successful yet.

At Marwell Zoo in Winchester staff are looking forward to an influx of visitors making the most of what is promised to be the hottest Easter in 20 years.

"The weather is paramount," said marketing officer Heather Moore. "Fine sunny weather can raise our visitor levels by 100 per cent."

Holiday parks and campsites throughout the county are also reporting a rise business, with many completely booked out.

Lesley Lawrence of Shorefield Holiday Park in the New Forest has been turning away customers all week.

She said: "We have been fully-booked for the Easter weekend for three weeks but since the fine weather began we have been inundated with booking inquiries."

It was also perfect weather for those Easter bonnet parades. A colourful array of them were proudly paraded at Fareham's Asda branch yesterday.

Organiser Trish Powell said: "The standard of the bonnets was fantastic, the day went really well."