In Pictures: Sunshine and smiles as crowds enjoy hot weather in the Black Country and Staffordshire

Black Country and Staffordshire folk have embraced hot weather this week, heading outdoors in droves to enjoy the spring sunshine.

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Families could be seen enjoying the scorching temperatures in town centres and parks across the region, including at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge.

At Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge were Ceri Davies with grandson Louis Aldridge and his friend Jacob Rossiter. Photo: Tim Thursfield

Bowls at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge. Photo: Tim Thursfield

Friends Seda Yildizsabah and Sawleh Boramby take shade under a tree in Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge. Photo: Tim Thursfield

Nathan Flash and son Beuden, aged three, at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge. Photo: Tim Thursfield

Friends Carla Mulvey and Esther Nash with Esther's son River, aged one, at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge. Photo: Tim Thursfield

Ashleigh Hall cools off with a cold drink at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge. Photo: Tim Thursfield

There were smiles all around in Lichfield too.

Smiling faces could be seen all around the historic city as many sat on the grass outside Lichfield Cathedral, enjoyed the Minster or Stowe Pools or soaked up the sun outside the city's many pubs and bars.

Its definitely 'hat enough' Pete and Olwen Hornby from Stafford, who were caught enjoying the rising temperatures — It's definitely 'hat enough'! Pete and Olwen Hornby from Stafford, who were caught enjoying the rising temperatures. Photo: Tim Sturgess

The weather took a turn for the better in late April, giving us plenty of sunshine to enjoy.

Lichfield's Beacon Park was a popular sunbathing choice for many, with plenty of smiling faces visiting the park to relax and have a drink.

Chester Gill, age 4, enjoyed a lovely ice cream at Beacon Park — Chester Gill, four, enjoyed a lovely ice cream at Beacon Park. Photo: Tim Sturgess

Four-year-old Chester Gill could be seen enjoying a quickly melting ice cream while taking in the sun with his family.

Kevin and Shelley Dunbar were caught enjoying the sun. — Kevin and Shelley Dunbar were caught enjoying the sun in Lichfield. Photo: Tim Sturgess

Plenty of people relaxed by the cathedral pool. Photo: Tim Sturgess

Plenty of people could also be seen at Dudley Zoo and Castle, where they enjoyed looking at the sunbathing animals or taking in the history of the region.

Humans aren't the only ones enjoying the warmer spell, with plenty of animals enjoying too at Dudley Zoo and Castle — Flamingos enjoying the hot weather at Dudley Zoo. Photo: Tim Sturgess

Other popular spots included Wolverhampton's West Park, where dozens of people could be seen taking in the sun while it lasts.

Plenty of people could be spotted at Dudley Zoo and Castle enjoying the warm weather. Photo: Tim Sturgess

The Met Office has forecast temperatures peaking today (Thursday, May 1), reaching 27C in some areas.

To see the full upcoming forecast for this week, visit the Met Office website.