CREWE is bracing itself for a fantastic Friday as temperatures are predicted to soar to 30C.

After several weeks of wet and gloomy weather, t-shirts and shorts will be required wearing for tomorrow's hot and sticky outlook, which will see the mercury climbing from 27C at midday to 30C by mid afternoon after highs of 26C today (Thursday).

But the Met Office is not setting its stall on the mini heatwave lasting into the weekend and the weather will cool significantly with predicted temperatures of 20C on both Saturday and Sunday with light showers forecast for Saturday.

Nevertheless, most people will want to make the most of the heat after feeling little of it since the final week of June, particularly with the easing of lockdown restrictions.

While Crewe Lifestyle Centre's swimming pool is out of bounds until September 1 some may want to cool off at Nantwich Brine Pool with the open air facility reopening for bathers last week (July 20), although booking is essential say owners Everybody Sport and Recreation.

It could be the ideal time to go on a short camping staycation, although many camp sites remain closed for tenting because shared toilet and washing facilities are not open.

Those with self-contained facilities aboard caravans and campervans will have far more choice.

Within a short drive of Crewe, Camping and Caravanning Club site the Durham Heifer at Broxton has reopened its toilet/shower facilities, so is taking tents along with caravans and vans.

As is Pitch And Canvas at Broad Oak Farm in Tattenhall, but facilities are restricted at Lower Lacon Caravan Park at Wem, who recommend tenters bring their own portable loos/toilet tent.

Further afield in North Wales favourite destinations of South Cheshire campers are only just emerging from lockdown. Tourism hosts were only given the go-ahead to reopen in Wales on July 11 and pitches were restricted to self-contained accommodation until last weekend.

Many are not taking tents as shared facilities remain closed and one of the biggest camping spots Shell Island near Harlech has announced it will not be opening at all this year.

Across the country, Friday's temperatures are set to soar above the year's highest of 33.4C, which was recorded on June 25.