THOUSANDS of sunseekers packed out Southend seafront to enjoy the final day of the heatwave today.

With temperatures set to fall from tomorrow, beachgoers used whatever space they could find near Southend Pier to pitch up and make the most of the sun amid the scorching temperatures.

Echo: People enjoy the hot weather at Jubilee Beach in Southend (PA)People enjoy the hot weather at Jubilee Beach in Southend (PA)

Photos by the PA news agency showed swarms of people sat on Jubilee Beach, while others went for a dip in the water to cool off.

Echo: People diving off pier in Shoebury (PA)People diving off pier in Shoebury (PA)

Some opted to defy warnings from the coastguard not to jump into the cold water by leaping off the pier itself as temperatures again climbed to 30c.

Echo: People gather in the hot weather at Southend's Jubilee Beach (PA)People gather in the hot weather at Southend's Jubilee Beach (PA)

Other beaches across the city were also busy, with thousands heading to East Beach to enjoy the Jamaican festival taking place across both Saturday and Sunday.

Echo: Echo camera club member Lin Stephenson took this photo of the East Beach festivalEcho camera club member Lin Stephenson took this photo of the East Beach festival

Westborough Labour councillor was among those attending the event, and said he had a “blast”.