AN AMBULANCE service has slammed "selfish parking" which meant it took crews twice as long to reach an ill patient after thousands abandoned cars while flocking to the coast.

A crew from the South Coast East Ambulance Service were "seriously impacted" by poor parking in Camber, as they rushed to reach a seriously ill person in Lydd Road on Sunday.

Pictures taken from the scene show the ambulance unable to move, as dozens of cars were left abandoned amid the scorching heat.

It comes as thousands flocked to the coast to make the most of the heatwave that saw temperatures soar to 30C.

A spokesman from the service said: "Selfish parking seriously impacts our ability to reach some patients quickly, especially in popular coastal areas.

"On Sunday it took this crew twice as long to reach a seriously ill patient at Camber.

"We strongly urge people to park considerately for the safety of all so that our crews and all emergency services can progress.

"We urge people to ask themselves, ‘could a fire truck get through easily?’

"If not then it’s not a parking space."