Crowds of daytrippers have flocked to Southend to enjoy the summer's heatwave for the hottest day of the year.

As temperatures are climbing well over the 30 degrees mark, many of families and sunseekers are filling up the beaches.

But traffic is already causing an issue with congestion and queues on the A127. There’s also been a bit of traffic in Southend town itself and the A127, A13, and Victoria Avenue are all seeing heavy traffic. There's also slow traffic through the seafront roads.

But traders say beach goers are social distancing. Paul Thompson, 46, owner of Pebbles One Cafe said: "It's a nice level of busy on the seafront and beach. There are lots of people but everyone is social distancing and keeping a part with a bit of space between them on the beach. Trade has also been good, can't complain."

Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal also had praise for visitors and seafront traders.

He said: "To be fair, It does appear that people are doing well with social distancing, and it's great to see the local businesses doing so well - it might help them bridge the chasms in their profits from lockdown. There's a big opportunity for Southend, post-COVID, to take advantage of the staycation boom, but we need to make sure we have a hospitality industry left to take advantage of it."