A district beach has been named as the best in the south east in this year's Sunday Times 50 Best Beaches Guide.

The sandy shore at Dymchurch is among seven in the region to merit inclusion in the list, which has been published today.

Stone Bay in Broadstairs is the only other Kent beach included this year.

Chris Haslam, the paper's chief travel writer, chose the top 50 after visiting more than 800 beaches around the coast of the UK.

Earlier this year the bathing spot at Dymchurch was one of 128 beaches across the country to win a Seaside Award recognising the best beaches in England for the quality of the environment and facilities.

This year, for the first time, the Folkestone Rescue charity which provides seasonal lifeguards and lifeboats will extend its beach supervision service to Dymchurch, which the parish council hopes will make the beach even more popular.

Folkestone Rescue volunteers will be found at the main slipway every weekend between 10am and 5pm, and will also be on hand daily during the school summer holidays to provide information, advice and first aid.

"When the sun is shining, our beaches are the most beautiful on earth..."

Chris McCreedy, chairman of Dymchurch Parish Council, said: "Our volunteer litter pickers do a fantastic job in helping to keep the beach tidy along with Veolia, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and our local businesses, it is truly a joint effort to keep the area safe and clean."

Announcing this year's top 50, Mr Haslam said: "This has been the 15th circumnavigation of the British coast for me, and the second for my Jack Russell assistant Dave T. Dog.

"Over eight weeks we've seen sunrises and sunsets, sand and shingle, surfed with dolphins and kayaked with seals.

"We've navigated canyon-like lanes to empty coves, queued to get onto urban hotspots, and, in one case, swam through a tunnel to reach an otherwise inaccessible bay.

"This is the most comprehensive and detailed beach guide available and it proves that, when the sun is shining, our beaches are the most beautiful on earth."