CARS lined the roads outside coastal car parks this weekend as they remained closed while temperatures soared.

East Lothian Council said its coastal and country car parks would remain shut during the early stages of lockdown easing as the Scottish Government urged people to stay local.

However, the decision did not deter sunseekers from driving to the beaches with some cars parked irresponsibly and some on yellow lines on the roads outside the beauty spots, as our pictures show.

A council spokesperson urged people to respect the advice for people to still stay at home as much as possible and warned fines would be issued if necessary.

Parking attendants were being sent to the busiest spots to start ticketing motorists who had ignored the parking restrictions.

The council spokesperson said: "It’s important that we all continue to follow the really important national advice, including physical distancing and staying close to home.

"The First Minister has advised that car parks which have been closed should stay closed at this time.

"Our decision was taken to protect local communities living by these destinations and with full support of Police Scotland. Drivers who choose to park illegally will face enforcement action.”

On Friday, the local authority confirmed coastal car parks and children's play areas will remain closed across East Lothian this weekend despite the easing of some lockdown restrictions.

However, roads close to coastal car parks, such as ones near Longniddry Bents, Aberlady Nature Reserve and Yellowcraig, by Dirleton, were jam-packed today with motorists parking their cars - sometimes illegally - as close to the beaches and beauty spots as possible as the county experienced one of its hottest days of the year.

Councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the SNP Group on East Lothian Council, said he supported the decision to keep the car parks closed but warned it had to be accompanied by proper enforcement.

He said: "The council needs to enforce the yellow lines and stop people parking outside the car parks, otherwise it will be pandemonium."