In pictures: Hastings enjoys hottest day of the year ahead of thunder storm

The day saw wall to wall sunshine with virtually no wind and temperatures just short of 30 degrees. A calm sea saw swimmers and paddle boarders taking to the water.

Unfortunately the blissful weather did not last with the wind getting up by late afternoon and a thunder storm arriving at 8pm.

The weather has been settled this week with another fine spell predicted for this weekend which should see temperatures of around 26 or 27 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.