CROWDS hit the beaches over the Easter weekend to make the most of the sunshine, despite the drop in temperature.

Pictures show a busy seafront in Brighton as families and friends were able to enjoy picnics in groups of six, following the relaxation of lockdown rules.

Groups were also able to take part in outdoor exercise classes, with many taking to Hove Lawns for dance and yoga sessions, while roller skaters hit the promenade.

The seafront office in Brighton and Hove said the cooler conditions meant there had been fewer people out than earlier in the week, when temperatures hit a warm 19 degrees.

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A spokesman said: “It’s been nice to see families and friends getting together for the first time in long months.

“The vast majority have been socially distancing and staying in sensible groups on the beach.

“We’ve had very little antisocial behaviour and the cooler evenings did help reduce the numbers and litter on the beach.

"The weather was definitely on our side to help manage the crowds.”

The spokesman added that access to toilets on the seafront had remained a problem over the Easter break, however.

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He said: “The place to be was a nice brisk stroll on the seafront after your Easter eggs and there was a bit of an issue with toilets as obviously a lot of places are still not open.

“It meant the pressure on our facilities was pretty extreme, but we are getting more temporary units down to help reduce that issue and we are trying to solve the problem.

"The traders who were operating had a good weekend as there’s been lots of people out stopping for a drink and a bit of cake.”

The spokesman said there had been no incidents at sea amid strong offshore winds, which meant flat water conditions for an increasing number of cold weather swimmers.

Last week, the city council said it was increasing measures to tackle beach litter and access to toilets after thousands hit the seafront on the warmest March day since 1968.