The heatwave is coming to an end with temperatures in Kent set to plunge to 18C tonight.

Beaches and town centres across the county were packed as some areas saw peaks of 36C yesterday.

Balmy weather conditions continued into the night as Kent was later rocked by large lightening storms, strong winds and heavy rain.

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The all-time heat record - which went unbroken yesterday - was set in Faversham in 2003, when the mercury reached 38.5C.

Today's is set to be an "exceptionally warm start", with a maximum temperature of 28C.

It will be mainly dry and bright at first, but with an increasing threat of showery rain developing through the day.

Many chose to stay inside rather than brave the heat, and commuters faced widespread delays as trains ran slower to avoid buckling the tracks.

It wasn't only rail users who faced difficulties. The A20 Ashford Road in Maidstone began to melt following a day of sustained sunshine.

Road in Kent melted by the heat

Shoppers looking for a treat to cool down with in Ashford had to look elsewhere when a Tesco fridge broke down "due to extreme weather conditions".

Firefighters were on hand in Sheerness, helping keep people cool with hoses and buckets of iced water.

Kent Fire and Rescue had a busy day elsewhere yesterday, with one cornfield in Chart Sutton catching fire and three acres of Maidstone's Mote Park burning.

But as the sun withdrew, dramatic lightening storms filled Kent's skies.

A 40-metre-long stretch of hedge in Hadlow was set alight after it was hit by a bolt at 8pm, extinguished within the hour.

Gardeners rejoiced as the heavens opened across Kent, the first showers some areas have seen for more than a week.

For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here.

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