SWIMMERS are out in force at a volunteer-run open air pool with temperatures set to soar into the mid-30s or above over the coming days.
Nicole Martin, manager of Brightlingsea Lilo, said weekend sessions in the outdoor pool were fully booked by Monday.
The Lido, which is manned entirely by volunteers, has endured a difficult few years.
In 2017 the outdoor pool had fallen into disrepair and was earmarked for closure by Tendring Council.
A volunteer group was formed to take over the facility and the relaunched Lido was opened in 2018 with record attendance.
But Covid-19 was still to come.
Following successive lockdowns, Brightlingsea Lido also needed repairs after it was damaged by Storm Ciara in 2021.
Ms Martin said: “It’s just awesome – so lovely to see people here enjoying the weather, enjoying the warmth and enjoying the Lido.
“Behind the scenes it is manic, we are a team of volunteers and to be completely up front we need more volunteers.
“There are around 12 of us regularly volunteering and we don’t have enough.”
She added: “It’s been incredible to see the children after school coming and enjoying the pool – we’ve been doing an after school special.
“It’s lovely to see them playing, running around the paddling pool, there has been a lovely family feel at the Lido.”
The Met Office has extended its amber warning for extreme heat for much of England and Wales, so it is now in place from Sunday until the end of Tuesday, with the hot spell expected to peak on Monday or Tuesday.
The heatwave is a result of high pressure and hot air flowing to the UK from the Continent.
Temperatures could peak in excess of 35C in south-east England.
There is still a chance of record-breaking heat – outstripping the 38.7C seen in Cambridge in July 2019 although that is now looking slightly less likely.
But the Met Office said the focus was on a prolonged hot spell, both in the day and overnight, when there could be tropical nights where the temperatures do not fall below 20C.
Sunseekers also stretched out on the grass in Dedham, a popular hotspot for daytrippers in the warm summer months while the beach was also packed in Clacton, aptly named the Sunshine Coast.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here