TRAIN services will be slashed, school children allowed to ditch uniform, and seafront traders will bring in more staff, as south Essex braces itself for the sizzling heat.

Met Officer forecasters says the heatwave is going to intensify in the coming days, and have extended their amber warning for extreme heat in Essex up to Tuesday.

With temperatures set to rise above 30c in the coming days, traders on Southend seafront say they are drafting in extra staff and stock in anticipation of large crowds flocking to the coast.

Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles One Café, said: “It’s been a really good few days and trade’s been good, the heatwave has helped bring more people out.

“We’re expecting this weekend to be very busy.

“I will have about 25 staff which is an additional seven than I would usually for this time of year.

“I have also been doubling the amount of stock I am ordering as I don’t want to run out.”

Yesterday, day-trippers were continuing to bask in the sunshine on Southend seafront.

Diana Longshaw, 71, from Leigh said: “We’ve had a lovely day and think nothing beats a day out in Southend.

“We often bring the grandchildren down here.

“I think lots of people will be thinking about staycations here in Southend rather than going abroad due to the delays, disruption and cancellations and I am not surprised at all.”

With the Met Office warning of extreme heat, Sweyne Park School in Rayleigh has informed parents children can wear their PE kits to lessons in the coming days if they feel more comfortable.

In a letter to parents, Katharine Dines, headteacher of Sweyne Park School, said: “Moving forward, next week is predicted to see the temperatures rise further.

“These may well exceed 30 degrees.

“Pupils will, therefore, be allowed to wear their PE kits, if more comfortable and more conducive to effective learning.”

c2c has meanwhile announced changes to some of its services next weekend to combat the high temperatures.

A spokesman said: “c2c services this weekend are set to run as usual but on Monday and Tuesday, when the temperature is forecast to peak, we will be reducing our services to ensure passenger safety across the route.”