Runswick Bay, eight miles north of Whitby, has been declared the UK's best location for beachcombing, beating rivals Westward Ho! in Devon and Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
The list of beaches was compiled by the BBC's 'Coast' presenter, Miranda Krestovnikoff, and professional beachcomber Cathy Yow, and it gave Runswick the honour because of its perfectly clean, golden sand, excellent pedestrian access, good transport links and fossil-filled pools.
The two women compiled the list considering factors such as safety, accessibility, tidal variation and gradient. They also consulted the Quality Coast Award website, which rates England's beaches.
'There are no hard and fast rules to beachcombing,' says Ms Yow. '?we can all be experts. I have found endless wonders on the seashore, from voodoo dolls to semi-precious stones.'
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