THE Sunshine Coast has been living up to its name this week after being hit by a blistering heatwave.

Tendring has been sizzling in the sun as temperatures crept up to record levels.

On Monday, the Met Office warned temperatures could reach a humid 27 degrees Celsius.

The forecast proved accurate and brought bumper crowds of tourists to the coast to bask on the beach.

Read the full story, and the future forecast, in the Clacton Gazette.