Beer has been named in the top ten beaches in the South West.

The East Devon fishing village has been placed seventh best beach by the Times national newspaper.

Extolling the virtues of Beer's pebble beach, the Times observed: "The pebbles run for 40 miles from Portland Bill in Dorset to Sidmouth in Devon: a rattling strand of rounded flint and chert.

"But while other resorts are resigned to living with the aggregate, the fishing village of Beer has tamed it by laying down carpets so visitors can comfortably reach the deckchairs on what might be England's most organised beach.

"It's a popular spot with swimmers of both wild and less showy varieties, and with fisherman who rent boats or cast from the shore.

"The chalk cliffs behind the beach - garlanded Babylon-like with hanging vegetation - reflect the sunlight, so the deckchairs have fold-up canopies to protect the back of your head.

"Catering is similarly well received: breakfast and afternoon tea can be had at the lovely Chapples Tea Hut on the beach, where you can rent a beach hut and two deckchairs for £15 a day.

"For a posh lunch, pre-order a platter from Beer Fisheries at the back of the beach (£55). Dogs are welcome at the East Ebb end."

The accolade also eded by saying the water quality was excellent and the the toilets were accessible.

The top regional award went to Perranporth, arguably the South West's most "magnificent" beach.