UK weather forecast- Brits swelter in 37.8C highs on third-hottest UK day EVER and visitors told STAY AWAY from beaches

TODAY was officially the third-hottest day in the UK EVER as temperatures hit a sweltering 37.8C in London.

But beachgoers were told to stay away from the shores as the coastline in Bournemouth and Brighton were packed to capacity.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said on its beach-check app people should avoid the sands, and Sussex Police said: "Camber is now full".

Seafront car parks in Bournemouth were packed from 10am, while traffic jams snaked back 15 miles along the A338 and A31 heading into the resort, as Brits crammed onto the shores.

Dorset Police described parts of Bournemouth beach as being "rammed" by 1pm, and could be seen patrolling the seafront.

Pictures show seafronts packed with people as miles of sand were littered with beach towels, parasols and wind breaks.

An ambulance was also spotted at Bournemouth beach after a man was treated for sunstroke.

Brighton and Hove City Council raised concern over visitor numbers, urging people to NOT travel to the iconic seaside city because it was "impossible" to maintain social distancing.

As things stand, today is the third-hottest day ever recorded in the UK, behind 2003 when the mercury hit 38.5C in Faversham and last year's all-time best of 38.7C in Cambridge.

The shock highs come after forecasters predicted some parts of the country could see spikes of 36C.

But by lunchtime, Heathrow had already hit 35C - wiping last month's hottest day record off the charts, before climbing to a sweltering 37.8C.

Traffic snaked around the country in huge queues as many headed to beaches and beauty spots to catch a few rays.

Britain's roads were packed out as staycationers headed for the coast and beauty spots to soak up the weather, the warmest this year so far.

The A23 into Brighton, and M27 and A31 into Bournemouth saw huge traffic jams - with congestion in the Dorset town up 18 per cent on normal 2019 levels.

Rows of cars 12-miles long were reported in some parts, and KentOnline reports 7.5-mile queues on the M2 coastbound, after staycation traffic ran into the aftermath of an accident.

And Dorset police warned they could use road blocks after chaotic scenes last month saw a major incident declared.