Statistics from the Met Office reveal that Thanet is the sunniest coastal destination in the UK.

Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Margate top the list of 109 locations - notching up an annual average of more than 720 hours of sunshine.

Weather experts pored over 10 years of data to calculate the results, which saw Folkestone and Hythe come home in fifth and sixth behind Hastings.

Holidaying Brits are expected to flock to Kent's coast throughout July and August due to enforced travel restrictions at top European destinations.

Owner of harbour restaurant Jetty Broadstairs, Christian Miles, said: “Long hours of sunshine in this tiny corner of the country mean we can open 8am until 9pm so that people can come down and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with a cold beer al fresco – Thanet sun is no longer a secret.”

Unsurprisingly, most of the UK's sunniest towns are in southern England, while the Scottish Highlands received almost half the sunshine hours enjoyed by Thanet.

Phillip Thorley, managing director of Thorley Taverns, which runs pubs and restaurants in the district, said: “We’re very lucky to have so much sunshine and when you combine that with nine award-winning sandy beaches, its no wonder people are changing their lifestyles to soak up the sunshine.

"In the summer months you can sit out on our harbours until nearly 10pm basking in the sunshine, and most people will be surprised to hear that we sit out on our verandas and patios in Thanet from March through to November."

Today, the sun-kissed Isle of Thanet is struggling to live up to its title due to gale-force winds and a yellow weather warning.

For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet