Hundreds have people have flocked to Southend beach despite Covid-19 fears.

On the hottest day of the year so far, people have been pictured sitting within close proximity of each other at the seafront enjoying the warm weather.

It comes after the government relaxed the lockdown restrictions, allowing people to go outside as often as they want as long as they stick to the social distancing rules.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told people to "stay alert" during his latest coronavirus address to the nation, but it would appear not everybody has been paying attention.

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Southend Borough Council has recently launched its #StaySafeStayApart scheme, encouraging people in the town to stay at least two metres apart when out and about.

But families have been packing out the beach along Marine Parade and the Eastern Esplanade in Southend, Essex, throughout this afternoon (Wednesday, May 20).

And it's not the first time either.

On Saturday, May 9, dozens of people were seen walking along the seafront in close proximity despite lockdown guidelines at the time ordering people to stay at home other than for essential reasons.