Sunseekers have been in their element this the weekend as Medway sizzles in a scorching Indian summer.

People peeled off in parks and sunbathed along The Strand, in Gillingham, as temperatures soared up to 29C.

The Towns basked in an autumn heatwave that made Saturday the hottest October day ever recorded and the third warmest day of 2011.

The Met Office said Medway was hotter than the Costa del Sol, Turkey and Mexico thanks to a high- pressure system pushing warm air north across France.

Despite the heat hike, many pubs across Medway have not had increased trade.

Rob Strudwick, landlord at The Kings Arms, Upnor, said: "We did expect a big rush, but sales have been average. It's strange, especially as we have a lovely garden."

Tim Robinson, of The Barge, Gillingham, said: "People just haven't got the money and I think the places that are really going to benefit are the coastal areas. It hasn't been a good summer for us."

Shoppers were out in force at The Range, Dockside Factory Outlet - with many buying Christmas decorations.

One employee said: "The hot weather hasn't put people off. We're selling a lot of Christmas items despite the heat."

The mercury peaked at 30C in RAF Finningley, Yorkshire, on Saturday - just beating Gravesend where it was 29.6C.

The unseasonably warm weather is set to continue, with 24C predicted in Medway today (Monday) and 19C tomorrow (Tuesday), before westerly winds bring cooler temperatures and a chance of showers.

Email your sun pictures to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk