RAMSGATE'S Main Sands beach has been named as one of the top 10 beaches in Britain.

Thanet, which has 26 miles of sandy beaches, has been awarded 10 Seaside Awards, one better than last year's record haul.

This year, for the first time Walpole Bay got a resort beach award, alongside last year's winners - Margate Main Sands, Ramsgate Main Sands, Viking Bay in Broadstairs, Westbrook Bay, Minnis Bay in Birchington, Westgate Bay and St. Mildred's Bay in Westgate.

Two additional rural beach awards have gone to Joss Bay and Botany Bay in Broadstairs.

Cllr Jeff Kirkpatrick, Thanet council's leisure, culture and tourism chief, is delighted with the achievement.

He said: "These awards are only given to Europe's best beaches and they recognise the exceptional quality of the beaches we have along our coastline.

"This is an excellent boost for Thanet's tourism industry at the start of the summer season, but beaches are only part of the tourism product we have on offer here.

"Ramsgate's maritime heritage, the emerging cultural quarter in Margate, the literary connections of Broadstairs and the increasing popularity of the Viking Cycle Trail are all helping to attract visitors to the area and extend our season further."

Seaside Awards are given to beaches that meet a series of different criteria and acknowledge those beaches which are clean, safe and display up-to-date information to the public.

KM-fm's Liz Leonard found out more about the success...