CANVEY seafront businesses are experiencing a bumper trade as this week’s heatwave has brought a surge of visitors to the beach.

Sun worshippers, families and residents have flocked to the island hot spot to bask in the sunshine - and traders along Eastern Esplanade have benefitted.

They said they welcomed the increased business in the hot weather following a wash out Easter after the Beast of the East’s snow.

Temperatures yesterday topped 24 degrees on Canvey while other parts of south Essex baked in temperatures of about 27 degrees.

Edward Parkin, 39, owner of Parkin Palladium Arcade, in Eastern Esplanade, Canvey, said he has even extended his opening hours due to the weather.

He said: “There has been significantly more people on the seafront this week and it’s helping business such a lot. We anticipate that this weekend we will see good business because the forecast is for more hot weather.

“Usually the family part of our arcade is only open at weekends, but this week it’s been open during the week.”

A cafe worker, 36, working on the seafront, said: “This weather has now set up nicely for a good trade during the summer season, it has gone along way to help our business following all the bad weather that we have had this year and towards the end of last year.”

Sun-seekers from across south Essex flocked to the island seaside destination for the day to catch some much needed rays. Carole Stevens, 60, from Basildon, said: “We came from Basildon for the day because of the lovely weather, we really like it here. We are also planning to take our grandchildren to Canvey seafront this weekend as the weather forecast is good.”

Warm temperatures are set to continue this weekend.