Huge crowds on Brighton beach as temperatures climb

Sunbathers on Brighton beach put up parasols and grabbed their paddleboards to make the most of the warm and sunny weather.

Even the seagulls, who would normally be swooping down on unsuspecting people to snap up some food, were seen taking a rest on the beach as the temperatures rose.

Seagulls on Brighton beach needed a rest as the temperatures soared along the Sussex coast

Some people were also seen tombstoning from one of the city’s groynes, despite warnings from the RNLI about the practice.

Tombstoning is the action of jumping or diving from a height into water.

People were spotted tombstoning from a groyne on Brighton beach

Brighton RNLI lifeboat operations manager Roger Cohen MBE said: “Jumping from piers and groynes can be incredibly dangerous at any state of the tide for a number of reasons, such as submerged rocks and strong currents.

“We realise that it’s tempting to jump from a height into the water, especially with such great weather, but submerged items may not be visible and could cause serious injury if you hit them.

“The shock of cold water may also make it difficult to swim and, in some places, strong currents might sweep you away.”

The RNLI has warned people of the dangers of tombstoning

An amber weather warning for extreme heat is in place from tomorrow until the end of the day on Tuesday, as the mercury is set to rise to 33C.

A national emergency has been declared by the UK Health Security Agency with a Level 4 alert, with a warning that the heatwave could have impacts on transport systems, food, water and energy supplies, and on businesses.

Thousands gathered on the beach or had a dip in the sea as the temperatures climbed

Temperatures in Brighton will peak on Tuesday, with temperatures in parts of Sussex set to reach as high as 35C.

Professor Penny Endersby, chief executive at the Met Office, said: “This is the first time we have issued a Red National Severe Weather Warning for extreme heat and the first time 40°C has been forecast in the UK. In this country we’re used to treating a hot spell as a chance to go and play in in the sun. This is not that sort of weather.

“We have seen when climate change has driven such unprecedented severe weather events around the world that it can be difficult to make the best decisions because nothing in our life experiences has led us to know what to expect.”