Weather: Sunny scenes as England sizzles in heatwave

Families soaked up the sun on Sandbanks beach in Poole, Dorset

These sunny scenes show how people across England are enjoying what could be one of the hottest days of the year.

Many headed to the beach as forecasters predicted temperatures could reach a sizzling 36C in south-east England.

Further inland, those with that Friday feeling stripped off to sunbathe in parks or cooled down in fountains and open air pools.

And the good news is the sunshine is expected to stretch out over the weekend for much of the UK, according to the Met Office.

Seagulls watch over sunbathers near the remains of Brighton West Pier

A man stripped down to his pants to soak up the sun in St James' Park in London

A family take a dip in the fountains of Trafalgar Square in London

• UK sizzles as temperatures expected to reach 36C

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A man jumps off a groyne into the sea as they enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset

Crowds flocked to Bournemouth beach in Dorset

Swimmers took a dip at Woodgreen Leisure Centre, Oxfordshire

Pleasure boats make their way along the River Ant at Ludham Bridge on the Norfolk Broads

Children enjoyed donkey rides on Skegness beach

By Jennifer Meierhans