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Residents swelter in scorcher

Esperance endured one its hottest ever starts to a new year after the temperature hit a scorching 44C on Tuesday.

Hundreds of people flocked to local beaches to cool off as the mercury hit a high of 44.2C at 12.30pm.

Goldfields Esperance Surf Lifesaving Club president Chris Brien said there was up to 400 people at Twilight.

Other popular spots along the coast that were packed with beachgoers included West Beach, town beaches, Bandy Creek Boat Harbour and Wylie Bay.

Hotels and the local cinema also did a roaring trade as locals and visitors tried to beat the heat by staying indoors.

Gardeners protected their vegetables from the scorching sun with shade cloths and birds flocked around bird baths to keep cool.