GRAVESEND recorded its hottest temperature this year during the warm spell last week.

On March 28 the town saw highs of 21.4 C and on March 15 it reached 19 C.

A Meteorological Office spokesman explained why Gravesend is often the country's hottest location.

He said: "There are a number of factors involved. Gravesend is close to London, London is a heat island and warm air is blown downwind.

"It has also to do with the soil type. It is particularly sandy in Gravesend and this type of soil heats up more quickly and so the air above it responds quicker.

"There are also other factors like the topography of the area, which happens to be in a dip."