Emily DennisGlorious sunshine, blue skies and not a hint of a rain cloud - it certainly felt like spring had sprung in Norfolk yesterday . After the weekend's heavy downpours an altogether sunnier outlook filled the air as people took advantage of the beautiful day and enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine.Emily Dennis

Glorious sunshine, blue skies and not a hint of a rain cloud - it certainly felt like spring had sprung in Norfolk yesterday .

After the weekend's heavy downpours an altogether sunnier outlook filled the air as people took advantage of the beautiful day and enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine.

While temperatures hovered around the average for this time of year at about 7C there was certainly a spring feel to the day as people took off their winter gloves and hats and soaked up the sun's rays.

But weather forecasters warned that the lovely weather will not be staying with us and will be replaced by cloudy skies and possibly wintery showers by Friday.

Chris Bell, a forecaster at Weatherquest at UEA, said Tuesday would be the sunniest day of the week.

He said it would be cloudy today and tomorrow with a chance of a wintery showers on Friday.

But despite not staying with us for long, the brief spell of good weather has given some businesses a welcome boost.

Garden centres around the region reported a flurry of activity as green-fingered individuals turned their thoughts towards flowerbeds and vegetable patches.

Sam Bennett, of Taverham Nursery Centre, said: 'We have certainly been very busy. A lot of people have started thinking about planting gardens and are buying things like seeds and potatoes.'

Paul Noble, garden centre manager for Highway Garden and Leisure at Framingham Pigot, said: 'There a few more people about buying plants. People are starting to get their gardens organised and are buying seeds and plants like primroses and shrubs.'

The good weather has also led to more people thinking about moving home.

William Lightfoot, branch manager at haart in Norwich, said: 'Blue skies and sun-filled days bring out the best qualities in any residence. Each year we see an increase in the amount of people viewing properties when the sun is shining. Although haart have already seen an influx of properties coming onto the market, we expect in the coming weeks there will be even more properties coming onto the market, taking advantage of the change in weather.'

David Potter, of Potter and Co Estate Agents in Norwich, said: 'We have seen an increase in properties coming on the market. There was a bit of a shortage with not much happening over the winter, but just recently there has been a bit of an upturn in instructions. Spring is the best time to sell traditionally. There are a few daffodils out and gardens are looking pretty. It shows houses in their best light with the sun coming in and flowers in the garden.'

Clothing stores have also reported a busy couple of days. Lori Fulcher, assistant manager at Cult Clothing in Norwich, said: 'When the weather is nice there are definitely more people out and about. It has been busier these last few days compared to last week.'

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