AN APP developed after thousands packed out beaches and flouted social distancing rules is to be rolled out at beach resorts in Sussex.

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.

Developed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism, the app is to be extended to include information from Camber Sands, Bexhill Beach and West Wittering.

The Argus: A packed out Brighton beachA packed out Brighton beach

The app, available for Apple or Android devices, provides a traffic light warning for busy areas.

It was first launched in July last year by BCP Council to help beachgoers comply with social distancing after visitors flocked to the coast in their thousands.

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 nationally.

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.”

Using data from footfall monitors and CCTV, the app shows busy, less busy and those areas with plenty of space available, with red, amber and green indicators.

The app can also give information on the locations of public toilets, lifeguards and which areas dogs can use.

The National Coastal Tourism Academy (NCTA) is supporting BCP Council in the roll out of their app and is encouraging resorts nationwide to adopt it.

NCTA Director Samantha Richardson said: “When temperatures have soared both this year and last, we have witnessed over-crowding on numerous hot-spot beaches around the country.

“This app developed by BCP Council allows users to plan ahead, travel to quieter areas to ensure safe social distancing.

“We have one of the world’s most amazing coastlines and this year we hope that many UK visitors will explore a new stretch of the coast and have the holiday of a lifetime.”

There are plans to sign up more coastal locations, and users are encouraged to contact their local authority if they feel their area would benefit.

For more information, visit https://www.englandscoast.com/en/blog/beach-check-uk-app