Kent has come alive this Bank Holiday Monday, as clear blue skies and sunshine come to Kent.

The county's beaches are packed - to nobody's surprise - and with the recent lockdown easing, garden parties are in full swing.

The change comes as a very welcome break from the gloomy weather we've had so far this year.

It was only three months ago that much of Kent was covered in snow, and last month gritters had to be deployed due to a week of frosty roads.

In fact, this month was on course to become the wettest May in the UK since records began.

So people are taking full advantage of today's sun - which could break a record for May's hottest day and is set to continue throughout the week.

However that means that Kent's roads are crammed full of cars, and many beachgoers are starting to experience the coastbound congestion.

There's currently a 40-minute delay on the coastbound M2 between J5 A249 (Sittingbourne / Sheerness and Maidstone) and J7 A2 (Brenley Corner).

The patchy congestion could affect those aiming for Thanet's beaches this afternoon.

Further along the route, cars are completely clogging Margate seafront as people vie for good spots on the beach and nab nearby parking spaces.

This is replicated on Dover and Folkestone's seafronts, as well as the A259 Lydd Road into Dymchurch.

If you're looking to go further afield, routes into Camber and Rye are also experiencing high volumes of traffic.

The clamour for parking spaces left Margate's RNLI crew to plead with drivers to stop parking outside its lifeboat station.

However, some areas seem less affected by increased amounts of traffic, and could prove ideal spots for a quieter day in the sun.

The Isle of Sheppey - with its Blue Flag-certified Sheerness beach - seems largely devoid of cars, while Medway with its riverside walks and parks is similarly quiet for such a sunny day.

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.

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