Part of Kent was officially the warmest place in Britain yesterday as the county basked in unusually hot weather for the time of year.

Sunseekers were out in force as temperatures reached 20.5C in Gravesend - making it hotter than many Mediterranean resorts, according to the Met Office.

It was the first time temperatures topped 20C in the UK since October 8 last year.

The top temperature was reached in Gravesend at 2.30pm yesterday.

It is often the hottest place in the country and briefly held the UK record in 2003 with a sweltering 38.1C.

Large parts of Britain were helped by warm air from the Mediterranean after weeks of flood misery.

Kent's weather is expected to be more cloudy today, but the unseasonal warmth is due to stay until at least next weekend.

For more on Kent's weather forecast, click here.