UK weather: Bank Holiday sun to be replaced by 50mph winds and heavy rain

Rain and wind is forecast to mark the transition from May to June

Two children shelter beneath an umbrella in rain and strong winds near St Paul's Cathedral in London, England (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Britain is set for torrential rain and winds of up to 50mph this week, following a surprisingly sunny Bank Holiday weekend.

Grey weather is expected to round off the end of May.

A Met Office forecaster said: "There’s not a sign for warm spells. The start of June looks around average, and a few degrees below average in the North, where it will be most unsettled."

"It may be rather windy, particularly in the northwest, with the bulk of the rainfall also here."

On 27 May central and western areas should expect thickening cloud and strong winds, with rain developing across those areas.

Highs of just 11-17C are forecast from Wednesday to Sunday. On Thursday the rain should clear to be replaced by blustery showers and unsettled conditions into the weekend.