THOUSANDS of daytrippers will head to our beaches this bank holiday weekend as scorching temperatures are forecast to top 33 degrees by Monday.

The Met Office says the expected heatwave could set a new record for the August bank holiday weekend.

Southend Council has outlined its plan for the weekend to keep people safe and has issued a plea to visitors – please keep our beaches litter free.

The council’s waste contractor, Veolia, is putting extra staff on standby to swiftly respond to any issues of beach littering.

Their beachcombing machines will be in operation during the mornings to clean up the beaches to prepare for visitors,

Litter pickers will also patrol the beaches in the evening to pick up any litter left behind.

Extra beach bins will be made available across the central seafront.

The council will again be deploying staff into the town’s two busiest seafront car parks, Seaway and Fairheads Green, to help visitors find parking spaces and assist them with paying for parking and handing out visitor guides.

Southend Business Improvement District will be continuing to promote its wristband scheme, which aims to reunite lost children and vulnerable adults with their families.

The Bid has produced the wristbands for children and vulnerable adults to wear, on which parents or carers can write their name and contact number.

Kevin Robinson, Labour Southend councillor for business, culture and tourism, said: “We are hopeful that the sunny weather forecast this August Bank Holiday weekend brings thousands of visitors to our shores but also that they bin their litter or take it home with them.

“As with the recent bank holidays, we and our partners are getting extra teams out to help manage waste, provide visitors with a friendly welcome, and respond to any issues on the day.

“Ultimately, our aim is to provide a safe and pleasant visitor experience that leaves people wanting to return to our town.”

Met Office chief meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: “We’ve had a fairly wet and windy August so far. However that’s going to change this weekend as we see high temperatures, sunshine and light winds return.

“On Saturday and Sunday there’ll be plenty of sunshine across the country with temperatures reaching into the mid-20s for many – it’ll be warmest in south-eastern parts where 30 degrees is possible.

“By bank holiday Monday itself temperatures will rise further with around 33 degrees possible in the South East – which would set a new record for the coming bank holiday weekend.”