SUNSEEKERS are being urged to download an app before heading to the beach to stop beauty spots from becoming overcrowded.

The free Beach Check UK app shows beachgoers which areas are most crowded in real time in a bid to help them stick to social distancing guidelines.

The National Coastal Tourism Academy is encouraging families visiting Sussex during the summer holidays to use the app.

It is available for Apple or Android devices and provides a traffic light warning for busy areas.

Developed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism, the app is to be it has recently been extended to include information from Camber Sands, Bexhill beach, Worthing beach and West Wittering.

Following its successful first phase, the app has been funded by the government’s local digital collaboration unit at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to roll it out

Local Government Minister Luke Hall said: “We want everyone to safely enjoy a well-deserved summer this year, while continuing to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

“That’s why the Government is funding Europe’s first innovative beach check app to allow people to check whether beaches are busy before travelling to avoid a surge of visitors.

“This will allow coastal communities to carefully welcome back visitors and will help local areas bounce back from the hardship faced by the pandemic.”

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