Pictures of Bournemouth beach during hot July weekend

Clear blue skies and wall to wall sunshine made for perfect conditions for beachgoers.

Many enjoyed a dip in the sea and tucked into ice creams in a bid to cool off.

Temperatures of around 27C were forecast with the mercury set to rise even further over the coming days.

At Bournemouth, there were umbrellas, deckchairs and sun shades as far as the eye could see.

Cheeky video @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/o5iV6DFOMM

— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) July 16, 2022

Despite being busy, there was still plenty of space on the sand. 

Read more: How influx of beach visitors will be dealt with this weekend

Dot, 77 and from Gillingham, said: “We haven’t been to Bournemouth since before Covid.

“It’s lovely to be back, best place to spend a summer weekend.”

Avon Beach in Christchurch by contrast was quieter.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a red heat-health warning for the whole of England stating the hot weather is a “national emergency”.

Read more: "National emergency": red heat-health alert issued over heatwave

Level four is reached “when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system…. At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups”, it said.

An amber weather alert of "extreme heat" issued by the Met Office will be in force for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the rest of Dorset between 12am on Sunday and 11.59pm on Tuesday. 

Read more: Heatwave: what you need to know if you live in Dorset

Elsewhere, a red weather alert will be in force for some parts of the country including London, Oxford, Essex, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Stoke on Trent and York. 

It is the first time the Met Office has issued a red warning for extreme heat.