People have swarmed the seafront to soak up the last of the summer sunshine.

People have been snapped sunbathing on Brighton beach this afternoon as temperatures reach 24C, with some braving the water to cool off.

With only four days to go until the arrival of autumn, sunseekers are lapping up the last of the rays before swimming costumes and sun hats are swapped for coats and scarves.

The warm weather is set to continue into the weekend, with temperatures topping 24C on Friday.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms earlier today which is in force from noon tomorrow until 8pm the same day.

The warning covers West Sussex from Chichester to Worthing.

The forecaster said: “While many places will remain dry, thunderstorms and heavy showers could cause some disruption on Friday in a few places.

The sunshine is here to stay over the weekend The sunshine is here to stay over the weekend (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) "A few thundery showers may be present across southern and southeast England early on Friday, but from the middle of the day they are expected to develop more widely within the warning area.

"Showers will tend to ease and fade during Friday evening."

Saturday will also bring highs of 22C and sunny spells, before the sunshine begins to tail off on Sunday with cloudier conditions, although temperatures are still forecast to reach 20C.