Blackpool Tower and Gormley statues among England’s coastal highlights

Images of Blackpool Tower and Antony Gormley’s statues on Crosby beach are being used to publicise a national competition to celebrate England’s coastal heritage.

Anyone with a good snap from the seaside is urged to show off their handiwork and enter a photo competition to highlight the best that Britain’s coast has to offer.

Coastal Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt said the competition was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate England’s historic seafronts, which are awash with striking icons, atmospheric arcades, beautiful beach huts and picturesque promenades.

The new photo competition, run jointly with English Heritage, asks enthusiasts to tweet a photograph of their treasured heritage site – whether that is a monument, pier or historic building known for its cultural significance, unusual architecture, or contemporary use.

Many of these icons provide inspiration that helps turn towns around. The Government is committed to supporting coastal towns so they can drive forward their local economies and encourage investment as part of the long-term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain.

The competition will run until Friday 6 March and the public will be able to vote for their favourite from a selection of the best photos. The three top winners will each receive a photography master class with an English Heritage photographer and runners up will receive copies of The English Seaside, published by English Heritage.

Coastal Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt said:

“From picturesque lighthouses, to beloved Victorian piers and historic seafronts, our coastal towns are awash with striking icons which we want to celebrate.

“It is these icons that can be catalysts that help our coastal towns rise up and drive forward their local economies by creating jobs, boosting skills and opening up new business opportunities.

“So please send in your snaps so all these images that show our illustrious and proud seaside towns can be shared and provide inspiration to others.”

Laurie Magnus, Chairman of English Heritage, said:

“There is something about the English seaside that brings out the best in us. Nowhere else in the world can match its charms and eccentricities.

“By asking the public to record this unique part of England’s Heritage we are not only celebrating but capturing the best of what this country has to offer.”

Anyone can enter their photograph with a simple tweet using the hashtag #HistoricCoast and explain what the photo is of and where it is.

Details on how you can get involved in saving heritage in your area are available on the www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring. For information on how to save buildings that are important to your community, go to the mycommunityrights.org.uk

Full details and shortlisted photos will be available at www.coastalcommunities.co.uk/heritage-photo-competition with voters able to click on their favourite until Friday 13 March. Winners will be announced the week after.

The Government is committed to supporting coastal communities through our £116million Coastal Communities Fund, which is funding 211 projects across the country. The fund is creating almost 12,400 jobs and providing more than 6,000 training places and apprenticeships.

The fund is supporting projects that demonstrate the creativity, enterprise and passion needed to help seaside towns become year round destinations that people are proud to live and work in.

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