THOUSANDS flocked to beaches across Dorset this weekend thanks to sizzling temperatures making the county hotter than Ibiza.

Seafronts in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch were packed with people making the most of the fine spring weather as the area recorded over 21 degrees C.

Temperatures over the weekend were also slightly higher than popular holiday resorts in the Canary Islands and gave hotspots Nice and Barcelona a run for their money.

Both Saturday and Sunday saw glorious sunshine, with bustling beaches, swamped sands and hotels brimming with guests.

Queues for ice creams stretched along the seafront near Bournemouth Pier, with car parks packed and roads busy but moving all weekend.

Georgie Rayment, 19, was visiting Bournemouth beach on Sunday for the day with friend Hayley Howlett, 18.

She said: “We always come to Bournemouth beach. It's a beautiful day today.

“I'm surprised to see so many people here today. It's really busy.”

Hayley added: “It took an hour to get parking - it's so nice on the beach though.”

Mum Monika Skarzynska was enjoying the seaside with daughter Julia, two.

“It's a lovely day. I thought it would be busy though- we're having a great time.”

Bournemouth tourism bosses were well-prepared for the influx of visitors, with the forecast for the weekend predicted by experts last week.

And they are keeping their fingers crossed the weather may stick around for the first Bournemouth Wheels Festival this coming weekend.

The Met Office is predicting Monday will be slightly cooler with more cloud around.

Tuesday and Wednesday will see sunshine and showers, which is likely to continue for the rest of the week.

For more information about the Wheel Festival, click here