SEAFRONT traders are hiring extra staff to cope with the waves of tourists and heat expected over the Easter weekend.

The Met Office has announced temperatures exceeding 20°C are expected and those who rely on visitors have welcomed news of temperatures topping many of Europe’s top holiday destinations.

Martin Richardson, owner of Happidrome Arcade, Southend seafront said he has been following the weather developments for weeks.

He said: “If this is global warming bring it on. This is what our whole country relies on.

“We are an entertainment country and our business has launched a bigger staff campaign.

“We are doubling our staff at our ice cream parlour.

“We’ve got to go with the predictions from the Met Office.

“We are ready for this weather and are looking forward to it.”

Peter Grubb, owner of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Shoebury said he is expected visitors to flock to the seafront.

He said: “We want the public to know we have lots of parking in Shoebury so there’s no need for traffic and parking chaos in Southend. We are launching our brand new vegan ice cream in five different flavours.

“We are also expecting a bumper trade over the Easter bank holiday weekend.”

Sunseekers, families and day trippers are expected to flock to Southend and Canvey seafront as the UK could be hotter than St Tropez in the south of France, Corfu, Bodrum in southern Turkey and the Spanish island of Majorca.

Temperatures will rise throughout the week to give a dry, settled and warm bank holiday weekend throughout much of the country, according to the Met Office.

It is expected to be 19°C on Good Friday, 21°C on Saturday, 20°C on Easter Sunday and 18°C on Easter Monday.

Forecaster Simon Partridge said: “We are going to see temperatures gradually increase through the week.”