SOUTH Essex is set to be bathed in record high temperatures and sunlight today.

Temperatures across Basildon, Southend and Canvey have been creeping up to as high as 16 degrees in the last few days with a huge amount of blue skies.

Today, temperatures are set to go even higher, with forecasts predicting Basildon will reach highs of 17 degrees, with Southend predicted to be between 14 and 16 degrees from 11am and 3pm.

Canvey will also have its fair share of the heat, with temperatures between 15 and 16 degrees from midday until 3pm.

Wednesday will also see highest temperatures of 15 to 16 degrees across the south of the county, before things begin to cool down from Thursday onwards.

All temperatures are well above the average for South Essex, and if forecasts are correct, it could be a record high temperatures for February.

This means Southend and Basildon will be as hot as the Mediterranean today, as cities such as Athens, Rome, Split and Tunis in Tunisia also showing forecasts of 15 to 16 degrees.

The heat spike comes almost exactly a year after the county was caught by the “Beast from the East” in 2018, which saw widespread snowfall, blizzards and ice.

It was caused by a cold air mass established across the UK and a low pressure system heading for France bringing snow and wintry weather to many parts of the country as it meets the cold air.

In the aftermath of the extreme weather saw year seven pupils from Westcliff High School for Boys, based in Kenilworth Gardens, competing in a sculpturing competition.

The boys were split up into teams based on their school houses and saw a host of interesting creations, with pupils using their creative abilities to make their own castle, an ice jacuzzi, as well as a snow turtle, and even a sofa.

The school was one of many in Southend, Canvey and Basildon forced to close due to the heavy snowfall.

Temperatures are set to dip back down to 11 and 12 degrees in South Essex from Thursday onwards.