Ice-cream vans did a roaring trade and people were out and about in the city and on the county's beaches for the hottest day of the year today.

Forecasters predict tomorrow will be even hotter and temperatures could climb to 30C (86F), but thunder is expected to bring the short heatwave to an end tomorrow evening.

It is likely to be fine and dry for the annual Norfolk Show on Wednesday and Thursday.

A Weatherquest spokesman said: 'It has been a fine, sunny day. It looks like it was warmest over the west side of the county.'

Temperatures of 27C (81F) were recorded at Norwich Airport and Marham yesterday, but it is likely to have been 28C (82F) in the city centre, well above a 20C (68F) average for the month.

He said there would be plenty of sunshine around in the morning and in the afternoon.

He did say there was a risk of a thunder storms tomorrow evening.

'It should be the hottest day of the year', he said.

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach managing director Albert Jones said that the good weather was very welcome at this time of year.

'We have been fairly busy today', he said. 'But we had a sea mist come in at about 5pm so some people went home a bit earlier.

'It was better than usual for this time of year. We are still in the shoulder months so we don't expect a great deal at this time of year.'

He said that he hoped to have a good day on Thursday when all of the school children were off for the Norfolk Show.

He said that because the forecast had not been good yesterday it had put people off.

Because it is still term time he said that they were not expecting a bumper turnout today.

It was a good day for Barnes Brinkcraft boat hire in Wroxham yesterday.

Daniel Neale, engineer, said: 'We have been busy. We've had a lot of bookings for the day boats today. We've had a good lot booking on the day. People get a bit of sunlight and they love to go out on the river because it is so peaceful and quiet.'

On Saturday the Met Office issued a heat-health alert for the east of England warning of dangers of high temperatures, particularly for the very old, the very young and those with chronic conditions.

• Do you have a story about tourism in Norfolk? Contact reporter Annabelle Dickson on 01603 772426 or e-mail annabelle.dickson@archant.co.uk.