Soggy North Yorkshire is finally getting a chance to dry out with summer making its first proper appearance after eight months of doom and gloom.

A ridge of high pressure stretching across the middle of the country yesterday meant that, for a change, residents of North Yorkshire were basking in unbroken sunshine and temperatures of up to 15C, (59F), while the south of the country had rain and a chilly 8C to contend with.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund, took advantage of the summer weather to don her sunglasses and tuck into a refreshing orange cocktail on the roof of the Mansion House, as she makes the most of her final month in office.

And staff at the Grand Opera House, York, who have become the "Pink Ladies" while they host the show Grease, found a little corner of sandy riverbank to relax on during a break from their hectic schedule running the popular show, which is almost sold out.

Temperatures looked set to soar even higher today, rising to 18C (64F) in parts of the county, with only slight patchy cloud.

A waether centre spokesman said: "This is nothing spectacular for early May. We have had temperatures of 28C before, but given the eight months of constant rain we have been having, this is very good.

"The picture is not quite as glorious tomorrow. It's going to be quite a bit cooler with a few specks of light rain around.

"There will be quite a drop in the temperature to between 9C and 11C, 48F and 52F.

"But high pressure will always be reasonably close from then on so Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be around 13C, 55F, and largely dry with some sunny spells and isolated light showers."

Updated: 11:48 Wednesday, May 02, 2001