BEACHES were packed and car parks full to bursting point in Bournemouth on Saturday as hundreds of thousands of people head to the coast on the hottest day of the year so far.

Many endured traffic problems to get here but it was worth it as they soaked up the sun and enjoyed all the facilities on offer in the area.

A good turnout was guaranteed as people made the most of the sun after weeks of miserable weather.

There were long queues for ice creams at the beach and restaurants, shops and pubs are also enjoying busy trade.

Temperatures in some parts of the south soared to 33C in the afternoon.

Friday was previously the warmest day of 2019, with temperatures reaching 30C at Achnagart in the Highlands.

A heatwave across Europe saw France record its all-time highest temperature of 45.9C on Friday.