Whilst the north of Kent saw some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, the comparatively cooler South Coast beaches in the county were also packed with sun seekers yesterday (1 October)

Hythe beach was very busy and at Sunny Sands in Folkestone, it was almost standing room only.

Hawkinge Gazette contributor Karol Steele braved the heat to send us a picture of the exceptional Indian Summer which saw Kent hotter than parts of the Mediterranean.

Standing room only  Photo: Karol Steele

The record temperature for October was smashed yesterday at Kent hot spot Gravesend, where a temperature of 29.9C (85.8F) was recorded, beating the previous record of 29.4C (84.9F) recorded on 1 October 1985, in March, Cambridgeshire.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©