Warmer weather has seen people flock to Southend seafront to enjoy the sunshine, despite current lockdown restrictions. 

The Council previously shut seafront car parks in a bid to keep people out of the area during lockdown.

But people have reported seeing a packed seafront this weekend as people met in "groups" for "picnics on the beach" as they enjoyed the nice weather.

The Government announced their roadmap out of lockdown last week with the "stay at home" rule not expected to be lifted until March 29.

Despite Government guidance to stay at home or stay local for exercise, people reported seeing a "rammed" seafront.

Yesterday, Essex Travel News reported: “Slow moving traffic on Southend seafront, along Eastern and Western Esplanade.”

This comes as other reported seeing people taking "advantage of lockdown" and a "free for all" on the seafront.

One person tweeted: "Southend was rammed today. The ol current bun comes out and it's a free for all on the seafront."

Another person tweeted: "So nice to see everyone taking advantage of the nice weather and hitting the seafront. Lockdown? Don't kow her."

Another shared: "The only little bit of Southend's 6 miles of seafront that I was able find today without groups of people sitting on the wall drinking beer or friends picnicking on the beach."

Southend's seafront car parks will remain closed until March 29 when lockdown restrictions are expected to be eased.