LOW temperatures, windy shores and showers galore can often dampen the spirits.

So on the rare occasion we get a sunny spell, the shorts come out, sun-cream is smeared and we head for a picturesque spot to soak up the rays.

We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK so when the temperatures are climbing, our beaches, lakes and countryside are among the best places to be.

With that in mind, the planning of days out is well under way. Temperatures are set to soar to the high 20s by Friday in what is expected to be the hottest spell since last September.

This week we grabbed our buckets and spades and dug through the Evening Mail archives to reminisce about days spent in the sunshine.

Some pictures show youngsters enjoying ice-creams and splashing in the sea, while others opted for Barrow Park as the venue for their summer fun.