Despite a chilly start to the week, temperatures in the UK are set to soar to heights of 17C by the end of the week - rivalling those felt in a typical June.

Mail Online reports that warm southerly winds from the Azores - a volcanic region situated in the middle of the North Atlantic - will sweep over the nation, banishing recent memories of the cold.

It says that the weather will be particularly welcome in several places in the UK which have just experienced yet another "white weekend", including Herefordshire, Worcestshire, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales.

Transport minister Norman Baker has reminded drivers that their sat-navs can lead them astray at times.

The Argus revealed that the Lewes MP is due to hold a summit next month to discuss with highway authorities, mapping organisations and sat-nav manufacturers how more accurate information can be uploaded to the devices.

A new study has revealed the changing preferences when it comes to the type of vehicles driven by men and women.

According to research by insurance giant Aviva, women are now more likely to be found behind the wheel of large off-road vehicles than men - who are increasingly favouring smaller runarounds.

The statistics suggest that this is in complete contrast to a few decades ago, when it reportedly would be less common for women to drive an off-road vehicle or approach a 4x4 hire company.

The organisers of Europe's biggest 4x4 exhibition are launching a brand new show at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire.

The Eastnor Land Rover Show will take place over the weekend of August 25th - 26th and will feature a range of historic 4x4s, including rare or prototype models.

Events such as these provide a perfect opportunity for off-road vehicle enthusiasts to learn more about the history of the 4x4.

The poor performance of British railways has been highlighted by a new report from think tank Just Economics.

According to The Independent, the country's rail network suffers hugely in comparison with every other European nation, finishing bottom of several league tables.

The report read: "In terms of bang for buck, not only does the UK come bottom of the index of outcomes but it also spends a relatively large amount of money to achieve this woeful result. This means that it also comes bottom of the value for money league."

The Met Office has issued a weather warning to the UK, alerting drivers to the possibility of ice and snow in the coming days, highways.gov.uk reports.

Sub-zero temperatures have been forecast across the country, dropping to minus three degrees in London and Birmingham, apparently. As a result, there is an increased risk of ice on the roads and the Highways Agency (HA) is reminding motorists to take extra care when behind the wheel.

The debate about which sex is better at parking could soon be over, as a new study firmly awards a victory into the hands of women.

Even though women take longer to park, the study found that women are much better than their counterparts at both finding a space, and positioning the vehicle best inside it.

The research even took scores of the quality of parking, says the Mail Online. With women scoring an average of 13.4 out of 20, and men just 12.3, it suggests that it might be best to let women do the driving - no matter what the vehicle.

The winner of a EuroMillions haul has suggested one of his first purchases could be a Range Rover Sport.

Gareth and Catherine Bull, from Mansfield, won more than £40 million on the continental lottery at the weekend. Since then, the couple has been weighing up what to do with the cash, according to Chad.co.uk.

They want to give some of their money to charity and loved ones, but Mr Bull has earmarked some of the funds to get himself a Range Rover Sport. Those who aren't lucky enough to have one big shouldn't be too jealous though, as they can easily ride the off-roader by using 4x4 hire services.

Many people need driving courses to remind themselves of vital safety information, it has been claimed.

Paul Staple, the manager of Alconbury Driving Centre, told local publication the Evening Telegraph that motorists can make sure this information is at the forefront of their brains by taking additional lessons.

These might cover special situations such as driving into bright sunshine, or carrying out an emergency stop with an automatic braking system at a high speed.

Proposals to place a new airport in the London Thames Estuary are beginning to win favour at Number 10, according to sources close to the prime minster.

The Daily Telegraph says that David Cameron is expected to provisionally support the development of a new airport - which is due to be build on recovered land - when the proposal goes into official consultation in March.

Supporters of the scheme, which include London Mayor Boris Johnson, argue that a new inner city airport would serve as a great alternative to creating new runways at Heathrow or Gatwick. Plans for the these have previously been vetoed by government.

Britons are happiest holidaying at home when in Brighton, a new survey claims.

The coastal beach destination scored a massive 9.33 out of 10 on a happiness rating in a SkyScanner survey. The travel comparison service found that it beat off rival cities Manchester and Edinburgh to the top slot; even holding off London, which came in fifth position.

According to MarketWatch, Brighton's score also challenges the ranking of several international destinations too. In a similar survey, Britons said that Australia was their happiest holiday country to visit, with a rating of 9.7 out of 10. Italy came second, with a score of 9.2.

The sheer variety of romantic experiences on offer make London the place to be come February 14th, reports news.opodo.co.uk.

London and Partners, the city's promotional agency, has highlighted a number of events taking place on the day love - including a trip for two on the London, a space-themed evening at the Royal Observatory and a number of romantic cruises on the Thames.

Couples will be greeted with a glass of champagne and a lovely canapé evening at the London Eye. Each couple will also bee given a red rose and special chocolates.

The number of motorists keen to own their car has been predicted to fall in the coming years, reports BBC News.

Business reporter Jorn Madslien described how this is one of several forecasts in a new KPMG survey of global car company executives, with other key issues being the way automobiles are powered and how connected they are technologically.

The document stated: "The world is moving from car ownership to car usership." This emphasis on temporary use of vehicles could inspire more interest in business car hire and alternative rental options.

Business passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport during the Olympic period this summer could face lengthy delays entering the country.

Leaked UK Border Agency documents, as seen by the Mail Online, warn of hold ups at immigration for passengers as Olympic athletes and delegates are designated a priority over others.

The news suggests that other airports based in or near the capital might be better arrival destinations for those whom have to move quickly in and around the UK. This is particularly pertinent for those whom have contracted business car hire agreements.

Today has been hailed the "busiest day for breakdowns", The Independent reports.

People attempting to drive back to work following an extended Christmas break should check their batteries in advance of their journey - that's the advice of two breakdown recovery companies.

Green Flag has highlighted that cars are far more likely to break down in the winter and as a result, they are expecting 50 per cent more calls today, due to flat batteries. The AA is anticipating 15,500 calls from stranded motorists.