THOUSANDS of day trippers descended on the south Essex coast as the county basked in the Easter heatwave.

Southend and Canvey seafronts were packed with sunseekers and visitors.

Business boomed and saw a major trade boost over the hot and sunny weekend.

There were some delays on the roads as visitors headed for the beach.

Joan Tiney, chair of Southend Seafront Traders Association said it has been incredibly busy.

She said: “Traffic was horrendous on the Saturday.“The whole seafront was just packed with so many people.

“I am overjoyed from a business point of view as we’ve had a great trade.

“People were down on Thursday stayed for the weekend.”

“Traffic was bad by 1pm on the Saturday.”

Vikki Notman, 41, barmaid at The Borough Hotel, Southend, said the bar was full.

She said day trippers had told of the long delays on the roads while trying to enjoy the heatwave.

She said: “It was awful, but bosses were happy.

“We were rushed off our feet and the bar was four people deep at one point over the weekend.

“We ran out of glasses at one stage as it was so busy.

“Traffic was queuing back to the Queensway underpass in Southend.

“It was packed solid but there was a lot of good feeling amongst customers, they were all really buzzing.”

Canvey beach volunteers said it had been a great weekend so far on the island seafront.

Colin Letchford, chairman of Friends of Concord Beach said traders also had an excellent time.

He said: “It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves.

“Traders had long queues and lots of visitors had a great time.”

James Courtney, councillor for growth, said: “Traffic queues are going to happen when it’s this good weather.

“We had staff redirecting people who were queueing, and they kept traffic moving.

“We gave free parking and it helped traders.

“I wish it could always be this busy at the seafront.”