Photos showed Bournemouth beach packed as tourists rushed to make the most of the hottest day of the year so far yesterday.

The sandy Dorset beach, a favourite with families across landlocked Andover, was rammed with families, couples and friends on Wednesday.

One councillor even took to Twitter urging day trippers not to visit the area yet.

Leader of Mid Dorset Council Vikki Slade wrote: "Please DO NOT come to Dorset yet.

"We are NOT ready. Hotels, attractions, museums and restaurants are closed. Your visit will be much more enjoyable if you come after July 4 when we will be fully prepared for your visit."

However, her warning was not heeded undreds of people packed along the beaches.

Though perhaps visitors to the beach were getting their trip in early, as forecasters predict thundery weather in upcoming days.

Andover Advertiser:

The Met Office said today could become the hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to climb in the Midlands and Wales.

But thunderstorms are expected to form across the west of the UK in the afternoon, bringing heavy rain, lighting and hail.

West London is forecast to see temperatures peak between 32C (89.6F) and 33C (91.4F), while parts of Wales could see the mercury rise to 34C (93.2F).

Should that happen, it would be the hottest June on record in Wales, surpassing the previous peak of 33.7C (92.7F) on June 18 2000.

Met Office meteorologist John Griffiths said the Midlands could see temperatures reach 32C (89.6F) on Thursday, while the Welsh Marches – the area along the Welsh border – could see temperatures of 34C (93.2F) “very locally”.

The good weather is expected to turn from 4pm on Thursday as thunderstorms form in the south west and south east of England, Wales, western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert for those areas until 9am on Friday, warning of disruption due to flooding, lightning strikes, hail and wind.

Between 30mm to 40mm (1.6ins) of rain could fall in less than two hours.

The storms are expected to continue from midday on Friday through to 6am on Saturday, with another yellow warning in place for the whole of the UK.

Areas hit by the storms could experience “torrential downpours” with between 30mm to 50mm (2ins) of rain falling in an hour.