Revellers party in the UK as restrictions lift and warm weather heats the long weekend

Sun and holiday starved British residents have hit the beach and the bars on what’s been the hottest day of the year, and they have let loose.

Sun and holiday starved Brits have hit the beach and the town on what’s been the hottest day of the year.

People across the country were pictured out and about enjoying the Bank Holiday – as the mercury soared to 25.1C.

Sun-kissed and ready to celebrate the end of lockdown, boozy Brits put on their best outfits to hit the town for a third night out in a row – making the most of the long weekend with no work to worry about on Monday.

Boozy Brits made the most of the three day weekend. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

Girls just want to have fun. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

One woman was carried by a friend. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

With the early high temperatures streaming down, Brits have been taking full advantage of the three-day weekend by packing out pub gardens, lining up the beers at bars and basking in the warm sun at the beach.

Bank Holiday Monday is the warmest day of the year so far after 25.1C was recorded in Kinlochewe, Scotland, according to the Met Office.

This has surpassed the previous high for 2021, which was set on March 30 at Kew Gardens in West London when the temperature hit 24.5C.

It comes after two days of glorious weather over the long weekend, sending Brits flocking to parks and beaches as well as pubs and restaurants now that Covid-19 restrictions have mostly been lifted.

Lads on the town as the long weekend kicked on. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

A gentleman kindly helped a woman who lost her footing. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

The heat and the booze took their toll. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

Lyme Regis in Dorset was packed with people enjoying the scorching temperatures this morning, while the Promenade in Brighton was heaving with sunbathers.

Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said the only exception to today’s scorching weather would be seen along the east coast of England.

“There is quite a lot of low cloud, mist and fog in east coastal areas and that will stay for the next few days, so highs of between 12C and 16C there – quite a lot lower than elsewhere,” she said.

But the record is unlikely to last long – as scorching 27C temperatures are expected on Wednesday before cooler air moves in.

Ms Mitchell added: “There will potentially be some thunderstorms by midweek, the first bout of showers will come into parts of the south west and there will be a few thunderstorms in that.

Pubs and bars around the UK were packed on the weekend. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

Girls just taking some time out from what’s been a big weekend. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

When an Insta post is more important than helping one of your sisters. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

“There’s a chance of some thundery break down in the south east and we could have some quite intense storms there.

“There’s still a lot of uncertainty but with the warm and humid weather we are having, we have the key ingredients for thunder storms.”

While some enjoyed the sun, the final Bank Holiday hurrah took its toll on a few, with one girl donning stilettos in Leeds snapped being carried by a pal, while another sat bare foot on a pavement.

When any old place will do for a nap. Picture: Terry Blackburn/Backgrid

The beaches were heaving over the weekend. Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images.

Hardly an inch to spare on Brighton beach as thousands flock to the seaside to make the best of the Bank Holiday sunshine. Picture: Chris Eades/Getty Images.

Others clutched their heels as they made their way home after a day of drinking.

One group of girls even finished off their night tucking into a takeaway perched on a bench with temperatures helpfully warmer after weeks of rain and cold.

Meanwhile, a group of men cheered and put their thumbs up for the camera as they celebrated the second weekend of the return of indoor drinking since pubs reopened to indoor customers.