Temperatures have already exceeded yesterday's scorcher, with one Kent town being named the hottest place in the country - for a few hours, at least.

The Met Office recorded temperatures of 23.2C in Gravesend at midday, making it top of the hot spots - until it was knocked off by Wisley in Woking, which reached 24.9C.

But the mercury continued to rise, hitting 25C in St James Park in London.

The county was also one of the nation’s warmest places yesterday, with Met Office figures showing Manston hit 22.2C at lunchtime - hotter than the Algarve.

Only Shoeburyness in Essex narrowly beat it to the daily record - with a temperature of 22.8C

But sadly the hot weather is not set to last - the mercury is set to plummet to 16C again tomorrow although most places will remain sunny, according to forecasters.

The outlook for the south east says that while warm sunny spells remain likely, the region will become less balmy as breezier conditions develop towards the end of the week.

But for today at least the county is enjoying "very warm" temperatures as "sunny spells develop widely" according to the Met Office.

The temperatures are 12 degrees higher than they were this time in 2013 and nine degrees higher than in 2014.

How are you enjoying the sun? Tweet your pictures to @Kent_Online or email news@thekmgroup.co.uk

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