SOUTHEND seafront is swarming with people as visitors flocked down to make the most of the scorching temperatures.

City Beach was packed and several families were enjoying the water fountains with their children.

Traffic was slow along the whole of Eastern Esplanade and there were long queues for the Tesco extra next to the Kursaal, and ice-cream kiosks.

There were several ambulances whizzing past as well as paramedics attending to a medical incident by Three Shells.

A resident, said: "It took more than half an hour in the car to get to City Beach driving along the seafront from Chalkwell.

"It was absolutely ram-packed everywhere from the beaches, to restaurants and kiosks and pubs.

Echo:

"With the kids on school holidays there seemed to be even more people than usual but it's to be expected with such lovely weather.

"Lot of people were in Adventure Island and kids playing at the water fountains."

Echo:

Concerns had been raised ahead of the sizzling weather forecast, around the risks of heat stroke, but Southend Council were well prepared after launching "Operation Heatwave".

Community safety officers were patrolling ensuring people were safe.