'We need the sun to keep businesses going'

Kelly Murkin's carriage rides are far more popular in the warmer weather

Owners of seaside businesses that rely on warm, dry weather have said the recent rise in temperature has made a significant difference to their livelihoods.

This week temperatures will reach the mid-20s in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and business owners have welcomed the respite from the unseasonably chilly days and rain.

Kelly Murkin, who operates horse-drawn carriages in the town, said it had previously been "so cold" that any potential customers had not been visiting the seafront.

"Yesterday was our best day, but before that it was wet, windy, raining - just awful," she added.

"I've been down here wearing two coats and been absolutely freezing, but we've definitely got some nice weather now.

"We've really noticed it this year.

"I've come out since February half-term and this year there's been no-one about, it's been so cold people don't want to be down here."

Ryan Thompson said his business had a freezer full of ice cream which had not been sold

Ryan Thompson, from the supplier Thompsons Food Service, said his business had a freezer full of ice cream which had not been sold.

"We order 200 pallets of ice cream at the beginning of the season, waiting for the sun to shine," he explained.

"It didn't happen over Easter and Whitsun, until this week, so it's been a worry that we had over ordered.

"Now we hope it will sell on a daily basis, like in previous years.

"We need the weather to continue, a lot of people make their money in the summer season to survive through the winter.

"We need the sun to shine for these local businesses to keep them going."

Pharmacist Mansour Dadkhah said people should be mindful of staying hydrated in the sun

Mansour Dadkhah, a pharmacist in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, said he was expecting a rise in sales of sun protection and urged people to be mindful of the damaging effects of UV rays and the heat.

"People need to avoid too much sun, and they need to stay hydrated," he added.

"Most people don't know how much water they need to drink.

"They need to limit the time they spend in the sun, use protection and have liquids with them at all times," he said.