Beaches packed as Wales on course for hottest day of the year - live updates

On the hottest day of the year so far, people have been flocking to the coast. Beaches across Wales are packed out, with long queues forming for car parks, overflowing promenades and barely a spare patch of sand in sight.

Families staked their spots early this morning, while lines for ice cream, cold drinks and seaside chippies stretch further by the hour.

Temperatures across Wales have been climbing steadily all week, hovering between 25°C and 30°C - but the real scorcher is expected to arrive around 4pm (Saturday, July 12), when parts of Wales could see highs of 34°C.

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According to the Met Office, towns and cities including Abergavenny, Newport, Monmouth, Newtown, Welshpool and Wrexham are among those to bear the brunt of the heatwave.

Here at WalesOnline, we will be providing all the latest updates, photos and videos from packed beaches from up and down the country. Follow our live coverage below.