Sussex swelters as heatwave draws crowds to coast

Crowds have flocked to beaches in Sussex as a heatwave brings the highest temperatures of the year - well above the average for May.

The Met Office said a record-breaking 34.8C had been reached in in Kew Gardens in south-west London with further hot weather expected to break more records in the coming days.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat-health alert for the South East, which is expected to remain in place until 17:00 BST on Wednesday.

Across Sussex, the heat has put pressure on some local services, with water supply issues in Eastbourne, and emergency crews called to a fatal medical incident on a Hastings beach.

Amid the bank holiday weekend heat a burst water main left about 500 of its customers without supply in homes in Sussex and Kent, including Eastbourne.

South East Water (SEW) apologised and said repairs had been completed in the Hampden Park and Ratton areas, and supplies restored.

It said any temporary discolouration was "not harmful".

SEW incident manager Steve Benton said: "We know water supply issues during hot weather are deeply frustrating and incredibly inconvenient, and we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve them.

"As a result of the recent hot weather, we're seeing increased demand across our network and we're having to pump far more drinking water than usual."

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde said it was "appalling" homes were without water, adding that delays had been caused by the need to access private land.

Emergency services were also called to a medical incident on a busy beach in St Leonards on Sunday, where a man later died.

Sussex Police said: "Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man was declared deceased at the scene."

The force said: "His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

Meanwhile, a Brighton beach patrol volunteer has called for more funding to allow them to widen their remit and help more people on the seafront.

The funding call came after three sisters died in the sea off Brighton after entering the water at on 13 May.

Sussex Police, the beach patrol and partners increased their presence over the bank holiday weekend in a bit to step up safety measures during the summer months.

The Met Office said high pressure had allowed exceptional heat to build across the UK, with temperatures expected to remain in the high 20s and low 30s for much of the week.

Dr Anya Gopfert, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said even moderate heat could lead to health problems for older people and those with health conditions, urging everyone to take "simple precautions".

A Met Office study has also found climate change has made breaking May temperature records around three times more likely.

It said what was once a one-in-100 year event is now a one-in-33 year occurrence, with average May temperatures rising over recent decades.

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