"Sometimes I wonder who these surveys ask," responds a deflated Phil Crowder.

Sheppey has just suffered a blow in the battles of the beaches - failing to get any recognition in a recent league table of British seaside towns which recognised two other Kent destinations.

In the survey by The Solar Centre, an eco brand which uses solar technology, Deal was picked as the best seaside location in Britain.

Ramsgate and Margate ended up fourth and ninth respectively.

But once again, Sheppey with its three award-winning beaches, was not mentioned

Figures were generated by looking at a range of factors visitors wanted for "a perfect day at the beach" including temperature, cloudiness, water temperature, fish and chips, parking, beaches and the price of a pint.

Phil, who chairs the Sheerness Town Team which was set up to improve the town centre, added: "Sheppey has some wonderful chip shops, easy parking - some of which is free - and some fine pubs if you know where to look.

"As for sunshine, we do pretty well. We are not called the sun-kissed Isle of Sheppey for nothing. We seem to have our own micro-climate because we are surrounded by water."

But he admitted there were things which needed improving.

"I cannot understand why there is only one set of public toilets in Sheerness in Rose Street.

"A block next to McDonald's was pulled down and the loos under the promenade next to the swimming pool have been shut for years. Another automatic loo in Marine Parade was also taken away.

"There are no public toilets near the seafront unless you want to join the coronavirus queue waiting to go shopping in Tesco. It's not as if parents can tell their children to make sure they 'go' before visiting Sheerness because there aren't any toilets here."

Meanwhile, Swale council has revamped toilets in Leysdown and is planning to build a new set on Minster Leas, although residents are up in arms about where to site it.

Jenny Hurkett, 71, who runs the Criterion Theatre and heritage centre in Blue Town, has been a long-term campaigner for a better profile for the Island for years.

She said: "We are bit like the mythical Scottish village of Brigadoon. We are an enchanted Island which only appears to be visible to other people for one day every 100 years.

"It makes me so annoyed that Sheppey always seems left out of surveys like this. I'd like to know who is responsible for putting us forward?

"What we need is a full-time paid publicity person with contacts and expertise to coordinate our publicity, manage a website and look after social media."

The heritage centre boasts a wall full of past posters hailing the highlights of the Island.

During lockdown she and her husband Ian have revamped the Criterion Theatre and have adopted William lV as their mascot.

She said: "King William was a bit like Sheppey. Few people know of him. But he was a really nice man by all accounts.

"He was the youngest son of King George lll and lived in Sheerness Dockyard. He was known as the 'Sailor Prince' and never expected to be king.

"But when he took over the throne he proved himself to be a great leader and abolished slavery during his reign. Unfortunately, because all his 10 children were illegitimate by his mistress, none could take over from him. So the crown went to his cousin, Victoria."

A life-sized photo of King William is being installed at the Criterion which reopens to the public tomorrow (Thursday). Mrs Hurkett is also planning to introduce a flag for Sheppey.

She said: "I've tracked down the original coat of arms and am having some flags made. It should be something quite quirky for the Island. We will have our own king and our own flag. We even have passports. We are totally ready for Brexit.

"Perhaps people will take notice of that?"

Perhaps surveys shouldn't be relied upon, anyway,

The previous week Which? readers placed Margate and Ramsgate as the worst seaside towns in Kent. Sheppey wasn't mentioned in that, either.

In another survey, Dungeness was named top beach with Whistable and Deal as runners-up.

Read more: Sheppey vows to win back tourists and Is Sheppey the next Whitstable?

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey