Beaches were packed and roads busy as visitors poured into Sussex for the sunny bank holiday.

With temperatures hitting 25C (77F), main roads through the county heaved with people heading for the coast and to the varied attractions throughout the region.

The annual three-day Herstmonceux Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle, near Hailsham, proved to be the biggest to date, while 10,000 film fans flocked to Brighton beach to see the 30th anniversary screening of Jaws on Saturday.

Hotels and guest houses were fully booked throughout the weekend and forecasters predict the heatwave will continue for the rest of the week.

Shaun Trumble, chairman of Brighton and Hove Hotel and Guesthouse Association, said the long weekend had been a success.

He said: "It has been a very busy bank holiday and I would guess most of us have been fully booked this weekend.

"Brighton is a popular destination whether it's sunny or cloudy and a lot of my guests have come here to relax and enjoy the sea and the shopping.

"Brighton's just fabulous because it has got something for everyone."

Mr Trumble, who runs the Brightonwave Hotel in Madeira Place, said the big events, like Jaws, and the sand sculptures had proven very popular.

So too had the first Festival of Fiery Foods, which saw Brighton Marina packed with visitors on Sunday and yesterday.

Jaws screening organisers Coolroom plan to return next year because the beach screening was such a success.

Producer Davina Stanley said: "The thrill of seeing thousands of faces transfixed by the horrors on the screen singing Show Me The Way To Go Home under the night-time sky was simply unbeatable."

Meanwhile, horse-racing fans hedged their bets at the two-day final summer party at Goodwood, which mixed racing with live music on Saturday evening and a family fun day on Sunday, attended by Dame Vera Lynn.

The beginning of Lewes's Artwave Festival was a good indication of its success for the next three weeks while It's A Knock-Out in Eastbourne was a novel opportunity to get soaked in the sunshine.

Backlogs of traffic, especially on the A23, were worsened with the closure of one lane southbound yesterday morning in Crawley.

Drivers' patience was also tested on the busy A27 heading into Eastbourne yesterday.

Gatwick airport was also at full stretch, with 250,000 people flying out during the weekend.