UK weather: Cooler day with cloud and sun as demonstrators head to Put it to the People march

Typical mixed spring on way as thousands prepare to take part in London protest

The thousands of people expected to descend on London for the Put it to the People march on Saturday 23 March should prepare for a typical spring day, forecasters have said.

A mixture of sunshine, cloud and showers is likely after early rain in the south gradually clears, although temperatures will drop from Thursday and Friday’s sunny weather with predicted highs of 14C.

Some spring warmth was on the way “until the weekend”, the Met Office said, adding: “Rain may linger in the south on Saturday, otherwise a mixture of sunshine and showers.”

Some sunny spells would be possible later, with temperatures mostly of about 9C or 10C, it added.

“Saturday will feel colder but it should be a fine day with good sunny spells,” it said.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to march in London.

Celebrities including Delia Smith, the chef and TV presenter, and actors Sir Patrick Stewart and Steve Coogan, and Armando Iannucci, creator of The Thick of It, are helping to fund coaches to carry protesters there.

Put it to the People marches will also be held in cities ranging from Liverpool and Oxford, to Manchester and Norwich.

Organised by the People’s Vote campaign and The Independent, the demonstrations are expected to show the sheer scale of opposition to Theresa May‘s Brexit strategy – and call for control to be handed back to the people.

In October, an estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement.