SWINDON was warmer than Mediterranean party island Ibiza this weekend.

Families flocked to the town’s parks, while party-goers soaked the sun in Swindon beer gardens.

In Old Town park Town Gardens, families and sunbathers made the most of the warmth.

Sitting in the shade with her grandchildren, Roz Wellfair, 63, from Toothill, said: “It’s been a lovely weekend – and the Town Gardens is a lovely place to be. We’ve been coming up here at Easter for a few years. It’s relaxing, the children can play and you can get an ice cream.”

Sarah Pritchard, 48, from West Swindon, was with her daughters: “It’s an opportunity to come out, enjoy the sun and the beauty of Town Gardens.”

Nodding to the marshmallow-like pink blossom on the park’s cherry trees, Paul Roddam, 35, said: “I went all the way to Japan last year and the blossom here is better.”

Businesses enjoyed the Easter boost. Hadi Brooks, owner of Rays Ice Cream, said: “I think we’d sold out of our mini egg and hot cross bun ice creams by the end of Friday. We had made what we thought would be plenty for the weekend – then we sold it all.”

Drinkers at the Glue Pot’s beer festival basked in the sun. Landlord Jonathan Crisp said: “The beer festival has always been popular, but the weather’s made it extra special.”

And, while the mercury-busting temperatures were enjoyed by most, some spoiled the fun.

In Blunsdon, firefighters were called to a grass fire believed to have been started deliberately. And in Kings Farm Wood, Wroughton, party-goers left in their wake blankets, bottles and the ashes from a bonfire in what was described on social media as a “very dry” woodland.

As temperatures in Swindon hit highs of 21C yesterday afternoon, the RSPCA warned dog owners against leaving their pets in cars.

Lisa Hens, a dog welfare expert with the charity, said: “Opening a window, parking in the shade or leaving a bowl of water for your dog isn’t enough and still leaves dogs in serious danger of suffering from heatstroke. Popping into the shop for five minutes is long enough for your dog to be affected.”

Although it felt baking hot in the Swindon Advertiser car park in Dorcan, a failed science experiment by one reporter proved it was not hot enough to fry an egg.