150,000 flocked to Belgian coast at weekend

An estimated 150,000 day-trippers visited the Belgian coast on Sunday to enjoy the hottest 9 April on record.

Hotels posted 80% occupancy rates over the weekend and there were many last minute reservations.

"It was a great weekend," said Dirk Marteel from tourism agency Westtoer. "The Easter holidays have started well. People like to come here to recharge their batteries."

Temperatures in Brussels reached 22.8°C, the highest recorded at this time of year at Uccle observatory since records began in 1901.