Sun seekers are flockeing to beauty spots and beaches across the North East this week as the region bakes under extreme temperatures reaching into the early thirties.

An amber weather warning was issued for the North East and North Yorkshire on Monday and today, where temperatures are expected to be even hotter.

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Some areas of North Yorkshire including York up to Easingworld and to the east of Harrogate were even placed under a red warning for extreme heat by the Met Office for Monday and Tuesday.

The Northern Echo:

The authority warns the extreme temperatures - up to 37C in the North East today- could cause adverse health effects and the risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment.

This could potentially lead to localised loss of power and other essential services, such as water or mobile phone services.

Read more: This is the hottest place in the North East during heatwave, according to Met Office

Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: “I’ve been a qualified meteorologist for ten years, and telling people about 41C in the UK doesn’t seem real.

“It’s crazy how we are talking about these sorts of values, I’ve never seen the models coming up with these values.

“It’s been quite an eye-opener to climate change with all these temperatures in the UK.”

But some people have been able to get out and enjoy the hot weather as these photos show people making the most of the sunshine in the region.

The Northern Echo: Taking a leap into the River Swale at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTTaking a leap into the River Swale at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo: Whitley Bay beach basking in the sunshine Picture: Daniel HordonWhitley Bay beach basking in the sunshine Picture: Daniel Hordon

The Northern Echo: Crowds gather at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTCrowds gather at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo: Sunbathers in Cullercoats Bay North Tyneside Picture: North NewsSunbathers in Cullercoats Bay North Tyneside Picture: North News

The Northern Echo: Enjoying the beach in Whitley Bay Picture: Daniel HordonEnjoying the beach in Whitley Bay Picture: Daniel Hordon

The Northern Echo: Crowds gather at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTCrowds gather at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo: Enjoying the weather in Cullercoats Bay North Tyneside Picture: North NewsEnjoying the weather in Cullercoats Bay North Tyneside Picture: North News

The Northern Echo: Enjoying the beach in Whitley Bay Picture: Daniel HordonEnjoying the beach in Whitley Bay Picture: Daniel Hordon

The Northern Echo: Charlie the cocker enjoying himself at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTCharlie the cocker enjoying himself at Richmond Falls Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT