Kentish Express Ashford & District
Coastline basks in summer heatwave
tcollins@thekmgroup.co.uk Soaring temperatures have seen sun-worshippers heading to the coast to enjoy the balmy weather.
With the mercury hitting over 32 degrees – hotter than Miami – barbecues and beaches have been the order of the day for many.
The Shepway coast has proved a magnet for those seeking sun, sand and sea.
Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone and the Hythe seafront were particularly packed with sunbathers and paddlers over the weekend, with ice cream vendors doing a roaring trade.
Supermarkets across Ashford have reported booming sales of sunglasses, ice cubes, barbecue supplies and summer beverages.
But for all of those relishing the heat, plenty of others have been suffering in the sun.
Staff at the William Harvey Hospital say as well as the usual spate of sunburn victims, some more serious cases have been attending their Accident and Emergency department.
A spokesman said: “We are seeing more people suffering from dehydration, often where people haven’t taken care to keep themselves hydrated while drinking alcohol.
“We have also seen an increase in child injuries, with more children playing outside later than usual.”
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