Visitors were basking on the sun-kissed Isle of Sheppey on the hottest day of the year.

Kent’s own holiday isle attracted thousands of day-trippers and locals to its three award-winning Blue Flag beaches today (Friday) as temperatures topped 30C.

Among them were Vilma Bakeviciene, 52, on a day trip from East London with her daughter Karolina Bakeviciute , 21, and her friend Lurdita Saiaukaite, also 21.

The trio were sunning themselves near The Leas at Minster watching the jet-skiers.

Karolina said: “This is our first time here and it’s lovely. Lurdita saw Sheppey on the internet so we thought we’d give it a try. It’s nice and quiet and peaceful and free parking is always a bonus."

She added: “Our other nearest beach is Southend but we try to avoid that. It’s like a human mosh-pit.”

Ironically, they could see Southend from where they were sitting on the pebbles.

Not far away was Sheppey grandmother Judie Fagan sunning herself with her daughter and granddaughter.

Judie, from Minster, said: “This is lovely. We timed it just right with the high tide. We came twice before but it was cloudy all day. Today has been perfect. We are so lucky to live so close”.

Several were also taking a dip in the water, which is one of the cleanest in Kent.

The same was reported at sister beaches at Sheerness and Leysdown as holidaymakers prepared to make the most of the weekend.

Kent basks in the sun