The mini heatwave across the Midlands is tricking fruit, plants and shrubs into thinking a second spring has arrived and causing them to bloom for a second time.

Experts say flowers that usually bloom in April are blooming again because of the cooler summer and warm start to autumn.

Bosses at Essington Fruit Farm, near Wolverhampton, said soaring late-September temperatures are helping to ripen pumpkins at the site, turning them bright orange well before they normally change colour.

Meanwhile the warm weather means grapes at Halfpenny Green Vineyards in Bobbington are showing record levels of sugar for the site.

And strawberries at Gailey Fruit Farm in South Staffordshire have been sprouting, unusually, for the second time this year.

Temperatures are set to peak at 28C (82F) over the weekend in the region, despite autumn temperatures being 10C (50F) cooler on average.

To read our stories in full, log in to the premium 24 website.