A dry, sunny Bank Holiday is forecast for Northern Ireland today, marking the last burst of summer before the new school year begins.

Unlike typical bank holidays, the rain will stay away and Northern Ireland can expect a sunny day with very little breeze. However, holiday-makers planning a trip to the coast will find temperatures lower than normal for late August — just 15 or 16 degrees Celsius.

A spokesman for the MeteoGroup weather forecasting centre said: “Surprisingly, we are in for a very good day, |considering bank holidays usually have hideous weather. The worst we’ll see is some patchy cloud. It will be a dry, though not hugely warm, day.”

Those holding a Bank Holiday barbecue can expect some late evening sunshine, but as temperatures plummet tonight consider wearing a jumper.

Thousands of people are expected to head to the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle, Co Antrim.

The annual two-day market fair has taken place on the last Monday and Tuesday in August since the 17th century and marks the end of the summer and beginning of the harvest. A day at the fair is not complete without a taste of Yellow Man or ‘dulse’ seaweed.

Meanwhile, as the new school term gets under way, police have issued a warning to parents driving their children to school to ensure they are properly secured in cars.

Superintendent Muir Clark reminded parents of seatbelt legislation which states that children up to 12-years-old must use a child restraint.