Millions of people hoping to beat the Bank Holiday hordes by setting off at the crack of dawn should perhaps think again - experts predict the roads will be at their worst on Saturday morning.

Congestion, which began to build up on major routes this afternoon, is expected to increase steadily until about midday.

But those who left on Friday morning enjoyed relatively easy journeys as others chose to delay their departures owing to a gloomy weather forecast.

However, conditions are due to improve on Saturday, prompting many to head for coastal regions.

With showers set to relent, many thousands were flocking to music festivals, complete with wellies and waterproofs.

Graham Smith, of AA Roadwatch, said: "It's been a bit of a late start today (Friday) and it seems a lot of people were put off by the weather.

"But it now looks like they have made the decision to go and we have seen congestion build up quite rapidly on major routes.

"This will continue into tomorrow morning when it will be busy on most of the holiday roads."

He offered a gloomy picture to those aiming to avoid the worst of the traffic.

"To get a good run, you should have left this morning," he said. "If you haven't left already, you've probably left it too late."

This weekend is traditionally one of the busiest of the year with some 16 million cars expected on the roads.