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EARLY-rising Brits raced to the beach to bag a spot in the 32C weather - sparking traffic gridlock on the third day of the UK's heatwave.

Beach-goers packed onto coastal roads with gridlock queues of more than two miles at Bournemouth and Camber Sands seeing car parks full by midday.

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Car parks filled up by midday at Camber Sands, East Sussex, with gridlock queues stretching two miles
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Car parks filled up by midday at Camber Sands, East Sussex, with gridlock queues stretching two milesCredit: Alamy Live News
Hundreds of sun-seekers on Bournemouth beach this morning
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Hundreds of sun-seekers on Bournemouth beach this morningCredit: PA:Press Association
Bournemouth beach was already filling up before midday today
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Bournemouth beach was already filling up before midday todayCredit: w8media
Families flocked to the coast to make the most of the good weather
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Families flocked to the coast to make the most of the good weatherCredit: w8media
Brits cracked open beers whilst catching rays in Bournemouth this morning
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Brits cracked open beers whilst catching rays in Bournemouth this morningCredit: w8media

Sun-seekers were also seen cracking open beers before midday in the British sun - as many are making the most of summer-at-home this year.

A woman sadly died in a jet ski and boat collision this morning off the coast of North Wales near Menai Bridge amid the sweltering heatwave.

An air ambulance was also called to Southend seafront this morning after a young child was seen alone on a dinghy 300 metres from the shore.

On Saturday afternoon, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's beach check app showed 18 of its beaches on red alert, warning people to avoid the areas because safe social distancing was not possible.

And further west in Dorset, police turned furious drivers away from Durdle Door as roads in Lulworth shut because of the volume of visitors.

Police turned drivers away from Camber Sands, East Sussex, as Brits flocked to the beach
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Police turned drivers away from Camber Sands, East Sussex, as Brits flocked to the beachCredit: Alamy Live News
Two sun-seekers creaming up for a day of sunbathing
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Two sun-seekers creaming up for a day of sunbathing Credit: w8media
Car parks were full near beaches in Bournemouth
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Car parks were full near beaches in BournemouthCredit: w8media
Brits basking in the weekend heat
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Brits basking in the weekend heatCredit: w8media
People make their way down towards Bournemouth beach in Dorset
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People make their way down towards Bournemouth beach in DorsetCredit: PA:Press Association
Today temperatures will reach up to 32C after a scorching August heatwave
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Today temperatures will reach up to 32C after a scorching August heatwaveCredit: w8media
Beaches in Dorset are packed today
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Beaches in Dorset are packed todayCredit: w8media

On Saturday, Bournemouth council closed 20 of the resort's 24 beaches over fears visitors, who created 15-mile tailbacks on roads in the area as they rushed to the coast, couldn't safely socially distance.

Council officials said: “Our advice to visitors would be to avoid these areas, turn away and come back another day when it less busy.’’

Firefighters also fear blazes could break out during the hot dry weather, with officials asking visitors not to have fires in the open.

Weatherman John Hammond, of Weathertrending, told Sun Online: “Unlike last week’s 'one-day wonder', this heat is going to hit and hold for the best part of a week in some places.

“Some southern areas will be sitting near 30C for several days in a row, with some uncomfortably warm nights too."

Friday was the hottest August day for 17 years, with the highest temperature recorded at 38.5C at Faversham in Kent on August 10, 2003.

Meanwhile, people living in Devon and Cornwall were "furious" after thousands of tourists flocked to seaside towns.

Locals and business owners said Salcombe, known as "Chelsea-on-Sea", is heaving and busier than ever before.

Men carrying inflatables - ready for a day at the beach
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Men carrying inflatables - ready for a day at the beachCredit: w8media
Beaches in Bournemouth are already rammed this morning
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Beaches in Bournemouth are already rammed this morningCredit: w8media
Sun-seekers flocked to the Bournemouth coastline this morning
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Sun-seekers flocked to the Bournemouth coastline this morningCredit: w8media
Brits camped on Bournemouth beach to beat the rush
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Brits camped on Bournemouth beach to beat the rushCredit: w8media
Brits are embracing the weekend heatwave
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Brits are embracing the weekend heatwaveCredit: w8media
UK weather forecast for Sunday 9 August - Highs of 35C as heatwave conditions continue
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