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COOPED-UP Brits packed beaches yesterday to bask in 28C sunshine and enjoy temperatures even warmer than Marbella.

Sunbathers made the most of their new-found freedom following the easing of lockdown restrictions - but many forgot about social distancing.

 Thousands of Brits flocked to Bournemouth beach after lockdown measures were eased
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Thousands of Brits flocked to Bournemouth beach after lockdown measures were easedCredit: PA:Press Association
 Sorrell Vince, 23, right, from Northampton and Bethany Heatley, from Preston, enjoying the sun on Cullercoats Beach, Tynemouth
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Sorrell Vince, 23, right, from Northampton and Bethany Heatley, from Preston, enjoying the sun on Cullercoats Beach, TynemouthCredit: PA:Press Association
 Southend beach was packed - with many ignoring social distancing rules
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Southend beach was packed - with many ignoring social distancing rulesCredit: � 2020 by SOLO Syndication
 Sunbathers in Essex appeared to ignore government guidelines as they packed the beach in Southend
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Sunbathers in Essex appeared to ignore government guidelines as they packed the beach in SouthendCredit: Twitter/simonharrisitv
 Bournemouth beach was packed this afternoon
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Bournemouth beach was packed this afternoonCredit: PA:Press Association
 Camilla Kozar, 18, with friends from London enjoying warm weather on Brighton beach today
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Camilla Kozar, 18, with friends from London enjoying warm weather on Brighton beach todayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Charmouth paddle board instructor Esther Wyatt goes for her daily exercise with dog Daisy on a sunny morning in Dorset
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Charmouth paddle board instructor Esther Wyatt goes for her daily exercise with dog Daisy on a sunny morning in DorsetCredit: Apex News

Thousands of Brits flocked to beaches in Brighton, Bournemouth and Blackpool on what has become the hottest day of the year with temperatures hitting 27.8C at Heathrow Airport this afternoon.

But families on the beach in Southend, Essex, appeared to be shunning social distancing advice as they crammed together to get a good spot.

Others hit parks in central London and beauty spots across the country after lockdown measures were eased by the government.

In the South West, traffic wardens ran out of tickets following an influx of sunseekers flocking to coastal hot-spots.

INFLATABLES BAN

Several routes into beaches in Devon were left clogged with traffic on roads described as "exceptionally busy".

Cops said several beach car parks had to be closed as people flocked to the seaside to take advantage of the hottest day of the year.

The heatwave is set to continue into the bank holiday weekend - with yesterday's pictures causing concern for the RNLI who revealed there are no lifeguards on any beaches due to the coronavirus outbreak.

For the first time ever, they are urging people to not use inflatables in the sea with treacherous surf conditions expected in some areas.

All lifeguard training and recruitment was stopped when the lockdown was announced on March 23.

It means Britain's 200 plus beaches are currently unmanned for the first time since the life-saving patrols were introduced in 2001.

The RNLI now fears they will only have enough bodies to patrol 70 of the UK's beaches during the peak summer season - around 30 per cent.

For most it’s dry and it’s increasingly sunny during Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures reaching mid-20s widely, and up to 28C in the South East.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern

Last weekend, the Coastguard was called out 194 times to rescue people and they have now teamed up with the RNLI to launch a joint campaign targeting parents and urging them to take responsibility for their families.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “For most it’s dry and it’s increasingly sunny during Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures reaching mid-20s widely, and up to 28C in the South East.

“It stays warm and bright into the evening, but you can see some thicker cloud approaching Northern Ireland, and outbreaks of rain.”

The hot weather is likely to be a test of the new lockdown measures after Boris Johnson announced that Brits can now spend as much time as they like outside – as long as social distancing is observed.

Local councils have urged Brits to stick to social distancing and reminded the public that facilities such as outdoor pools and public toilets remained closes.

Officers will also be patrolling popular beauty spots and parks to ensure people are abiding by the government’s guidance.

HOTTEST DAY

Tourist spots have also asked people to stay away with many attractions remaining closed – with the majority beaches not being lifeguarded.

After today’s heatwave, there is a risk of thunderstorms on Thursday in East and South East England as a band of rain pushes eastwards.

Temperatures are predicted to cool from 24C or 25C before the rain to a fresher 17C to 21C on Friday.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "There will be a bit of a grey, misty start for some first thing but that will quickly burn away.

"The vast majority of the UK will have a dry day with sunny spells, if not blue skies all day for some."

Mr Dewhurst predicted a windy start to the weekend with sunshine and showers for many with the weather gradually turning drier from the south on Sunday and into bank holiday Monday.

While there has been no immediate end to the lockdown, the easing of restrictions meant plenty made the most of the sun – sunbathing and enjoying picnics.

The PM said: “You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports – but only with members of your own household.”

However, he warned: “You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.”

 Thousands of people flocked to Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset, on the hottest day of the year so far
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Thousands of people flocked to Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset, on the hottest day of the year so farCredit: Richard Crease/BNPS
 A family got up early to enjoy the sun and water at Branksome beach in Dorset
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A family got up early to enjoy the sun and water at Branksome beach in DorsetCredit: w8media
 Hundreds of Brits were sunbathing in Hyde Park, London, on Wednesday
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Hundreds of Brits were sunbathing in Hyde Park, London, on WednesdayCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 Sunseekers head to Bournemouth beach early to enjoy the sunshine and get the best spot on what is forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far
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Sunseekers head to Bournemouth beach early to enjoy the sunshine and get the best spot on what is forecast to be the hottest day of the year so farCredit: Alamy Live News
 Sorrell Vince, left, from Northampton and Bethany Heatley, from Preston, enjoying the sun on Cullercoats Beach, Tynemouth
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Sorrell Vince, left, from Northampton and Bethany Heatley, from Preston, enjoying the sun on Cullercoats Beach, TynemouthCredit: PA:Press Association
 The pair had fun in the water on Wednesday morning
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The pair had fun in the water on Wednesday morningCredit: PA:Press Association
 A women enjoys a cycle through Battersea Park in South West London this morning
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A women enjoys a cycle through Battersea Park in South West London this morningCredit: �2020 Gustavo Valiente / i-Images
 Southend beach was full of sunseekers
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Southend beach was full of sunseekersCredit: Jeff Moore
 Police horses patrol Blackpool promenade this afternoon
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Police horses patrol Blackpool promenade this afternoonCredit: Mercury Press
 Lone surfer on an almost deserted Polzeath beach, Cornwall, this morning
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Lone surfer on an almost deserted Polzeath beach, Cornwall, this morningCredit: Alamy Live News
 Two women keep cool in the hot weather at the Serpentine in Hyde Park
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Two women keep cool in the hot weather at the Serpentine in Hyde ParkCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 People are seen jet-skiing and paddleboarding at Sandbanks Beach
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People are seen jet-skiing and paddleboarding at Sandbanks BeachCredit: Reuters

 

 Brighton beach was filling up on Wednesday morning
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Brighton beach was filling up on Wednesday morningCredit: eddie mitchell
 Dozens of people hit the water at Branksome beach this morning
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Dozens of people hit the water at Branksome beach this morningCredit: w8media
 Londoners enjoy the glorious weather at Battersea Park this morning, as the coronavirus lockdown easing continues
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Londoners enjoy the glorious weather at Battersea Park this morning, as the coronavirus lockdown easing continuesCredit: �2020 Gustavo Valiente / i-Images
 Visitors gather on Brighton beach this morning in hot sunny weather as temperatures are forecast to reach the high 20s in some parts of Britain
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Visitors gather on Brighton beach this morning in hot sunny weather as temperatures are forecast to reach the high 20s in some parts of BritainCredit: Alamy Live News
 The azure seas of Mupe Bay in Dorset looked stunning this morning
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The azure seas of Mupe Bay in Dorset looked stunning this morningCredit: Bournemouth News
 A young woman enjoys a run in the sun on the esplanade at Southend on Sea this morning
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A young woman enjoys a run in the sun on the esplanade at Southend on Sea this morningCredit: Jeff Moore
 Kids enjoy the hot weather on the beach in Poole, Dorset
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Kids enjoy the hot weather on the beach in Poole, DorsetCredit: Alamy Live News
 A photographer captured this stunning image of the light blue sea at Chesil Beach
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A photographer captured this stunning image of the light blue sea at Chesil BeachCredit: Bournemouth News
 Members of the public are seen enjoying the warm weather in the early morning at Hyde Park in London during lockdown
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Members of the public are seen enjoying the warm weather in the early morning at Hyde Park in London during lockdownCredit: London News Pictures

 

 People were seen wearing wetsuits at Branksome beach in Dorset
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People were seen wearing wetsuits at Branksome beach in DorsetCredit: w8media
 Parts of the South East are expected to hit 28C today
Parts of the South East are expected to hit 28C today
UK weather forecast - Locked-down Brits to sizzle in 28C on hottest day of year so far before thunderstorms hit