ARMED with sun tan lotion, flip-flops and picnics, Essex has been basking in a heatwave which saw temperatures reach a sweltering 28 degrees C. Read the full weather forecast here With experts predicting another scorcher this weekend, it seems as if residents may be enjoying the great British summer for a few days to come.
Organisers of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life on Sunday, held in Hylands Park, was one of many events to benefit from the good weather – the hottest day of the year so far.
"Lots of spectators turned up to watch. We think there were around 12,000 people," said Vicky Woolnough, events manager at Hylands House.
Businesses also reported a roaring trade in summer essentials.
"The hot weather has brought a welcome increase across our food stores, with soft drinks, fresh meat, charcoal and firelighters all selling well, and Pimm's is also proving popular," said Stuart Hammond, head of food at Chelmsford Star Co-op's 37 food stores in the county.
Stallholders in Chelmsford market found sunglasses, fans and summer sandals flying off the shelves, and also some less typical items.
"We find garlic is a big hit in hot weather as more people are making salads and healthy dishes for the summer months," said Olivia Kingcock, of Steve's Wholefoods.
However, emergency services are warning people to take care in the high temperatures, which can be dangerous for the ill-prepared or vulnerable.
Last weekend the East of England Ambulance Service, which covers Essex and five other counties, received almost 5,000 calls – 1,000 more than over the same period a fortnight ago, with a rise in collapses being one of the factors behind the steep increase.
While the weather has been notably cooler this week, it is expected to rocket up to 30 degrees on Saturday continuing through until Tuesday.
The warm spell will fall a little short of the hottest temperature in Essex last summer – recorded as 31.5C in Writtle on August 18, 2012. Even this was far lower than the hottest temperature recorded in the county over the past decade – at High Beach near Epping, where it reached 36.7C on August 10, 2003.
