It’s hard to be best beside the seaside

A tiny village crowned the UK’S top seaside resort for the second year in succession is a “victim of its own success” and as become a “no-go zone”, say residents who claim it is plagued by traffic jams, litter and drunkenness.

Bamburgh in Northumberland (population 414) topped a Which? poll that ranked destinations’ beaches, value for money, food and drink and tourist attractions. More than 150,000 visitors are drawn to its castle and spectacular golden beaches each year.

However, residents said it was being ruined by the huge numbers who leave litter and damage the environment.

One said: “We need tourists but the village is so packed no one looks like they’re having much fun.” Another said it can take an hour to drive through it. Barbara Brook, the parish council’s chairman, said that it was allowed to offer additional parking for 56 days last year but a directive had reduced that to 28 days.*