BEACHGOERS are being urged to avoid beaches in Christchurch this afternoon as people flock to the seaside.

BCP Council’s new Beach Check app is warning that ‘safe social distancing is not possible’ at Mudeford Sandspit, Avon Beach, Friar’s Cliff, Highcliffe Castle and Highcliffe Beach.

Elsewhere, Sandbanks, Branksome Chine, Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Bournemouth beach west, Bournemouth beach east and Boscombe beach are described as ‘congested’.

As previously reported, the app has a live traffic light system to help visitors avoid busy sections of the beach.

Green means there is low congestion, amber means the beach is congested with people asked to ‘stay alert’ and red means ‘avoid, safe social distancing not possible’.

The app says: “Colour coded maps are for guidance only and predict likely crowding of promenade and beach areas today based on previous footfall, CCTV, weather patterns and observation. Information is then updated via live observation by the seafront team between 11am and 5pm.”

It covers beaches from Sandbanks to Highcliffe.

Temperatures are set to soar into the mid to late 20s over the next couple of days.

Twitter-based weather forecaster Bournemouth & Poole Weather said: “With a rapidly warming airmass overhead temps likely to peak later this afternoon or even early evening at 25-27C.”

The Bournemouth-based weather enthusiast added: “A warm night ahead as well, mins 16-20C.”