A beach in Lancashire has been listed as one of the best in the UK by The Sunday Times.

Blackpool Beach has been named in the The Sunday Times 50 Best Beaches Guide, along with seven others in the north of England.

It is the only beach in Lancashire to have featured on the list.

The guide is the definitive and most comprehensive list of Britain’s 50 best beaches.

Chris Haslam, the paper's chief travel writer, chose the top 50 out of more than 800 beaches he visited around the UK’s coast.

The guide highlights the world-beating magnificence of the British seaside, and gives readers a description of the scenery and setting, as well as all the practical information needed to plan a beach day, including car parking, toilets, refreshments, shops and accommodation.

Chris 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."

Boasting seven miles of sandy coastline, Blackpool is the only British beach resort to boast three piers.

Known for its famous donkey rides, the beach is also home to the 500ft tall Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach theme park.

The main beach lies between the South and Central piers and is backed by a promenade.

There are also some fantastic events and shows to get involved in along the promenade when the tide comes in.

The best beach in the UK, as decided by the Sunday Times, is Sandhaven in South Shields, to the east of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Other Northern beaches included in the list are:

  • Howdiemont Sands, Northumberland
  • Newton Steads and Football Hole, Northumberland
  • St Aidan's Dunes, Northumberland
  • Whitby West, North Yorkshire
  • Cornelian Bay, North Yorkshire
  • Redcar Coatham, North Yorkshire
  • Blackpool Central, Lancashire

The Sunday Times 50 Best Beaches Guide is published today (1 July) online and in print on July 3.