SOME 90,000 visitors flocked to Bournemouth beaches on one of the hottest weekends of the year so far.

As the temperatures soared above 25 degrees, the beaches were rammed, car parks full, and roads approaching the front ground to a halt as sun-seekers flooded into the town.

The hoards of visitors were just 20,000 shy of the 110,000 you’d expect to pack the beaches over the busiest bank holiday weekend in August, according to tourism bosses.

Tourism chiefs estimated some 70,000 ice creams were sold over the course of the weekend, and beachfront restaurants Urban Reef and Westbeach did a roaring trade in mussels – selling 100kg in two days – that’s almost 16 stone.

Hotels and guesthouses reported their rooms were filling up by Friday afternoon.

Members of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association said at a time of year when they might expect between 70 and 80 per cent occupancy, they achieved between 90 and 100 per cent over the weekend.

A spokeswoman for Bournemouth Tourism said: “In general terms we’ve had really good consistent weather and that’s fantastic, it really gives the town a boost. People are shopping, using the beach, and spending their money.”

She added: “We’ve seen more people getting active on the water. People are bodyboarding, surfing, kayaking – that’s certainly something we’re seeing in Bournemouth.”

Brad Petrus, head coach at the Sorted Surf School near Bournemouth Pier said more than 100 people had hired equipment on Sunday alone – including paddle boards and kayaks – and their surf lessons had been full on one of the busiest weekends of the year so far for them. “If we can do this all summer long we’ll be happy,” he added.

Will Hartwell, assistant manager at Urban Reef, said they’d served 200 lunches and 900 coffees on Saturday alone.

“It’s been absolutely crazy – but brilliant,” he said.

While things were scorching in Bournemouth it was trumped by some hot spots inland, including Wimbledon which had 30 degree temperatures.