Good news for sun worshippers - weather pundits are now predicting Kent may escape torrential downpours which had been predicted for later this afternoon.

Earlier forecasts had expected the short-lived heatwave to be overcast by flash floods and even a tornado in some parts of the country.

But The Met Office has revised its review, expecting Kent to escape the dismal deluge which is expected to bring the risk of more than 30mm of rain in less than an hour over the Midlands and parts of eastern England before moving north.

However, its chief forecaster warned the situation remained 'finely balanced' and said further updates may be issued throughout the day.

Gravesend once again claimed the county's hotspot with the mercury hitting a more Mediterranean 27.6C.

The borough often claims the country's sweltering spot because the weather station sits in Broadness, just north of Swanscombe, which is surrounded by sandy soil which heats up easily compared with surrounding areas of clay soil.

The site is also sheltered by an embankment which as an additional effect on the reading.

Gravesend held the UK record briefly in 2003 after reaching a scorching 38.1C.

Elsewhere, people were making the most of the sunny spell by cramming the coastline.

One visitor to Margate said: "It's absolutely heaving!"