We live in one of the 'UK's worst seaside towns' and here's why we'll never leave

Locals have defended their town after it was named one of the worst seaside resorts in the UK.

Clacton-on-Sea scored 48 percent and ranked joint fifth worst with Skegness in consumer magazine Which?'s survey published in July.

That compares with top placed Bamburgh in Northumberland (86 percent), Portmeirion (83 percent) and St Andrews (82 percent) in a ranking based on the quality of resorts beaches, seafronts, tourist attractions, scenery, parking and shopping.

Express.co.uk caught up with locals in the town on a sunny August day as it prepared for Clacton Airshow, which this week excited the crowds as heritage aircraft took to the skies over the north Essex resort on Thursday and Friday (August 22-23).

Sarah Heslop, 21, from Clacton-on-Sea, said it's a lovely area with a great community spirit. A teaching assistant in term time, Sarah is spending the summer holidays serving freshly made donuts from a stall seconds away from Clacton's famous pier and seafront.

She said: "The Pier is definitely one of the main attractions. Martello Lounge is a modern bar which serves food. Where it is on the seafront - it's just lovely to sit outside and see the view."

Asked if she would change anything about the town, Sarah said she'd like to see more opportunities to keep youngsters out of mischief. On the "worst" ranking, she said: "It's just like any seaside town. But it's more modern here. I think it's a lovely place, especially to live."

Mum of three Carla Tucker from nearby Jaywick is a regular visitor to the town. She hailed Clacton's beach, especially out of season. She said: "It's really quiet and so serene. It's amazing at night."

Carla, 34, added: "I love it here - the sense of community - you know people for life."

Retired market stallholders Peter and Carol Meyer from Lowestoft have holidayed in Clacton for decades and were full of praise for the locals.

Carol, 68, said: "They're very friendly. You can walk past people and they will always say good morning. I haven't got any complaints whatsoever. I like it because they have lots of independent shops. You can pick up things you couldn't anywhere else."

There was only one complaint about the town, which is arguably beyond its control, and that's the number of gulls. Carol said: "It's the seagulls I don't like. They're everywhere."

Clacton's population numbered just over 53,000 in the 2021 census. The median age was 50 compared to the national average in England of 39. The town fell within the top 20 percent of the most deprived in the country for education, health and disability.

Nigel Farage became the local MP at the last general election, replacing the now former Tory MP Giles Watling.

Despite its challenges, a majority of locals Express.co.uk spoke to were full of praise for the town, with just a few being less impressed.

Retired labourer Tom McCullough, 74, said he had been coming to Clacton on holiday since he was a child and decided to retire there.

He said: "[The town centre] needs a lot of money spent on it. The pavements are dirty, infrastructure for residents... But it's no worse than a lot of other places. It's a seaside town. Most of them are run down.

"Does Clacton have a future? I hope so, for the young people here."

Another Clacton local, who would only give her first name, Fran, said the town centre could have a better retail offer, adding: "Clacton's s***. It's a shame really."

The 75-year-old added: "It's outsiders that cause the problems, [leaving their] rubbish on the beach. It's a nice place if you don't get visitors."