Millions of Britons are set to go on holiday over the bank holiday weekend, tourism bosses have said.

An estimated 5.1 million people will head on a break within the UK, according to national tourism agency VisitEngland.

This is expected to generate around £1.3 billion for the UK economy.

Parts of Britain were forecast to bask in temperatures of up to 30C (86F) this week, although more unsettled conditions are expected over the weekend.

Travel organisation Abta estimated two million Britons will head abroad from Friday to Monday.

Airports will be busy, with Heathrow expecting more than 440,000 passengers to depart over the last long weekend before Christmas.

Gatwick is preparing for 311,000 outgoing passengers, with 103,000 due to fly from Stansted.

Ports and the Channel Tunnel are also expected to be in high demand.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "This weekend is the traditional curtain closer for the peak summer months and it is always a very busy weekend for travel, with millions taking advantage of the long weekend to head off overseas.

"With the roads predicted to be extremely busy, holidaymakers should make sure that they leave plenty of time to get to their port of departure."