THE recent spell of warm weather has been one of the hottest in recent years. However, Sussex is no stranger to red hot summers. Ben James delves into The Argus archives for more.

BACK IN 2003 rail passengers let out a collective sigh as their train came to a halt.

But the delay that August afternoon was not down to a fault with the train nor was it a backlog of services or the dreaded leaves on the track.

The scorching summer sun had melted the rails, causing them to buckle.

The sky-high temperature saw the track near Gatwick reach an astonishing 51C (124F).

The eagle-eyed driver spotted the rails had started to bend and he stopped the train immediately to prevent an accident.

Later the same year, the immense power of the sun had a similar effect on a set of steps along the seafront in Brighton.

Workers had used the wrong type of asphalt during a recent relaying, leaving the concrete unable to cope with the near 35C (95F) temperatures.

Locals were stunned when they saw the steps “melting”.

Lisa Stephenson, of the Albion Gift Shop, told a reporter at the time: “As you looked at the steps it looked like it was all dripping but it wasn’t, it was all hard.

“The people who were repairing it said it was a wrong kind of asphalt. They looked awful. It did look like the steps had melted in the sun.”

A spokeswoman for the contractors explained how they had used non-porous material to surface the steps, which was not compatible with the steps themselves.

She said: “It appears to us it was a genuine mistake. Obviously the contractor is undertaking the work again and we will get them open again as quickly as possible.”

The steps were repaired as part of the refurbishment of the West Street public lavatories.

Although it may not seem like it most of the time, Sussex enjoys some of the best weather in the country.

Tourists come from far and wide to spend a day on our beaches.

Most cannot think of a better way to spend a sunny day than soaking up a few rays. However, for others it is an ordeal – especially staying cool.

Back in 2003 we visited the Dogs Trust in Shoreham where they had found an interesting way to keep their guests’ temperatures low.

Centre manager Sharon Prior took each of the dogs and held them tight before letting them have a go on a Mini Milk ice cream.

Shortly after we visited the centre, 13 puppies were picked up by staff after being dumped nearby. The staff decided to name them after their favourite ice creams.

So along with Mini Milk we took pictures of Solero, Feast, Raspberry Ripple, Strawberry Split, Mivvy, Zoom, Magnum, Cornetto, Neapolitan, Fab, Soft Scoop and, of course, Mr Whippy.

But it is not just animals who struggle to keep cool in the summer.

In 2013 we reported on a 14-year-old boy who was sent home from Varndean School in Brighton after turning up to lessons in shorts.

Despite it being one of the hottest days of the year with the mercury tipping 30C, school bosses showed no sympathy.

Speaking to The Argus, the boy’s mother branded the decision “completely inhumane”.

She said: “I think the school has completely lost the plot. My son hasn’t done anything wrong.

“It’s not fair to force the students to wear warm clothes when it’s this hot. The teachers are being completely ridiculous.”

When the sun comes out, one thing can be guaranteed: there will be youths on the seafront “tombstoning”.

This is when sunseekers jump from rocks or usually groynes into the sea.

Each year, the police, lifeguards and ambulance service issue warnings – but each year youths find a new daring spot to jump from.

However, perhaps the most shocking pictures we have seen of tombstoning come from summer 2003 when youngsters threw themselves from the 40ft Brighton Marina walls.