The Summer Solstice - or the longest day of the year - falls on Tuesday bringing with it more than 16 hours of daylight to the UK.

And after a grey and damp end to spring it looks like this week's weather is somewhat more fitting for the start of the astronomical summer with forecasters predicting wall to wall sunshine and warmer temperatures for tomorrow.

The solstice in the northern hemisphere takes place each year between June 20 and June 22 - falling this year on Tuesday, June 21.

It will see the sunrise in Kent at 4.41am and set more than 16 and a half hours later at 9.16pm according to website Time and Date.

While the June solstice inspires many celebrations and traditions involving watching the sun rise, morris and maypole dancing and the lighting of bonfires - not to mention annual celebrations at Wiltshire's Stonehenge which thousands are expected to attend - those simply hoping to soak up more time outside in the garden on the longest day of the year could be in luck.

The Met Office is predicting the weather on Tuesday should make for a gloriously sunny day, which might be some consolation for those forced to stay at home because of Tuesday's national rail and London Underground strikes.

Clear skies will pave the way for long spells of sunshine, suggest forecasters, who say with light winds will make the day feel comfortably warm.

The Met Office forecast for Tuesday predicts: "A fine and dry day with prolonged periods of sunshine. Some patchy cloud possible by evening. Dry with light winds and feeling warm. Maximum temperature 25C."

And while the evenings may gradually start to shrink in after Tuesday, the forecast shows little sign of following suit over the next few days, with the Met Office confirming it expects temperatures to build through Wednesday and Thursday with more very warm weather on the cards - albeit temperatures are unlikely to hit the record highs seen in the south east during last week's brief heatwave.

But we're unlikely to notice the days becoming too much shorter for a while - with the shortest day of the year not until Monday, December 21 while the end of the astronomical summer takes place on September 22 with the start of the autumn equinox.