IT'S feeling hot, hot, hot - and families have been making of the sizzling weather on Weymouth Beach.

Visitors and locals have been cooling off in the sea as temperatures soar.

There's been a mini-heatwave this week and today was expected to be the hottest day of the year so far with the mercury expected to rise above 30 degrees.

Meanwhile, a level 2 'heat-health alert' has been issued due to the high temperatures.

While people enjoy themselves in the sun, businesses are looking forward to another busy year.

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Visitors have been coming to Weymouth to enjoy the sun for years, often attracting multiple generations of family to paddle in the waters together.

Dorset Echo: Fulvio Figliolini owner of Rossi's Ice Cream. Pictures: Cristiano MagaglioFulvio Figliolini owner of Rossi's Ice Cream. Pictures: Cristiano Magaglio

Some think that Weymouth will be a popular staycation venue again this year, especially for people who don't want to deal with airports.

Chris and Dean were are on a paddleboarding day trip from Glastonbury and used to come to Weymouth Beach as children.

They said: “Weymouth has always been a really great location for a staycation, especially for when you don’t want to have to deal with the airport and it's many delays or cancellations.

“Weymouth is especially good for paddleboarding. The water is safe, calm and not too deep and the beach is clean - perfect for beginners and families.

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“A lot of it hinges on the weather, but on a sunny day nowhere is better than Weymouth."

Wendy Wheeler, visiting with her grandchildren from the Midlands has been holidaying in Weymouth since 1965.

She said: “Weymouth has always been great, almost always good weather, and more stuff to do than ever, especially for kids.”

Louise Matthews owns the Gresham Guest House and said she is optimistic for the summer: "I think people have rediscovered holidaymaking in the UK and there is no better place than Weymouth for it.”

Dorset Echo: Local artist Irina Song says that she finds Weymouth to be colourful and inspiring. Pictures: Cristiano MagaglioLocal artist Irina Song says that she finds Weymouth to be colourful and inspiring. Pictures: Cristiano Magaglio

Bill McCarthy, owner of the Edenhurst guest house said: “We had some big week-long bookings at the start of the year, but as international travel started opening up again many have chosen to cancel.

“We still have plenty of bookings, mainly shorter weekend visits."

He added: “In Weymouth, if the weather is good, you can get lots of people and we are probably set for a good summer this year.”

Danielle Moors from the E-bike Café on the harbourside said: “This will be our second summer since we opened and it is set to be the biggest and best ever for all the businesses in Weymouth.

“Everyone has their freedom back this year, and we hope many will choose to spend it in Weymouth.”