THOUSANDS of people flocked to the seafront for the second day in a row as people basked in temperatures reaching 29C.

Just one day before the last coronavirus restrictions were lifted on the city, thousands packed the beach to enjoy the rare heatwave.

Temperatures soared to 29C in Brighton and Hove, with sunseekers trying to find a spot on the pebbled beach from 10am.

Pictures taken from the seafront on Sunday revealed the scale of the crowds that had gathered.

Hundreds pitched umbrellas to provide some shade from the strong sun, while others opted to cool themselves off by taking a dip in the sea.

Some took to the water on paddleboards while a few daredevils were pictured jumping from sea walls.

It came on the eve of so-called "freedom day" which sees the remaining Covid restrictions lifted.

Mask wearing will become voluntary in many settings and nightclubs will reopen their doors for the first time in more than a year.

Social distancing will be scrapped, meaning the omnipresent two-metre warning signs can be taken down.

In the seven days up to July 9, there was a four per cent rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove, with 1,270 confirmed new cases recorded.

That is equivalent to a weekly rate of 436.6 per 100,000 residents, higher than the South East rate of 242.1 per 100,000 and the England rate of 341.5 per 100,000.

The pattern of infection has risen in all areas of the city and all age groups.

Dr Katie Cuming, public health consultant with Brighton and Hove City Council, recommends that everyone in the city continue to remain cautious and act responsibly, to stop the virus spreading "out of control".

She said: “Only one in two adults in the city has had two vaccinations so we still have a little way to go before everyone is properly protected.

"There are still vulnerable people among us who could become very unwell if they catch the virus.

“As well as keeping up the basic good hygiene habits that we’ve been following for the past year, the two most important things we can do are to get vaccinated and take symptom-free Covid tests twice a week.

“If you haven’t already booked your first vaccination, please do so today."