Glorious sunshine beamed down on the top players from across Europe as they returned to Margate for the national beach volleyball finals.

The best men and women in the game served up a treat for crowds watching court-side and in the grandstand at the weekend.

This was the third successive year the Volleyball England Beach Tour (VEBT) has culminated at an action-packed weekend on the Main Sands.

Music and entertainment was ongoing throughout with people having the chance to get involved and try beach volleyball for themselves at the permanent Go Spike beach sports courts.

The England National Team, Vicky Palmer and team mate Jess Grimson, held their nerves to see off their Scottish National Team opponents, Lynne Beattie and Mel Coutts, in a three-set thriller.

This win secured the duo the title for the second year running, having won their first ever title at last year’s tournament.

In the men’s tournament the final saw the top ranked team of Wilson and Miedzybrodzki against Chevau and Dyakiewicz.

After a very close opening set the tournament favourites from America and Scotland, respectively, came through to claim their first VEBT national title together.

Ellie Austin and Anaya Evans were successful in their efforts to claim the Junior Girl’s Trophy. While in the Challenger event, Ellie Cranch and Mille Constable won the women's event and Sam Walrond and Tom Allen won the men's.

The tournament was hosted by Thanet District Council’s Sport Matters team and supported by Canterbury Christ Church University sports team, the official community sponsor.

Thanet District Council sports development officer Colin Rouse said: “The Margate Masters event is a real highlight in the area’s sporting calendar.

"We are pleased with the number of people who turned up to show their support for the players and we hope they enjoyed watching the tournament as much as we enjoyed hosting it.”

The council also thanked Canterbury Christ Church University, Hornby Hobbies, Motiv8 Sports, Kent County Sport Partnership and the Sideout team as well as the National Charity Partnership, between the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK and Tesco, who provided free water and fruit to players and spectators throughout the weekend.

Volleyball England chief executive Lisa Wainwright said: “What a fantastic weekend of beach volleyball in Margate.

"The crowds were impressive - I must thank Thanet District Council, Canterbury Christ Church University and the numerous volunteers that all contributed to the success of the event - not to forget the amazing athletes.”