By Aimee Braniff

FUN IN THE SUN newly colourised images reveal how Brits used to flock to local beaches as soon as the grey skies parted.

COLOURISED School for girl goalkeepers opens at Eastbourne. Despite the bathing suits they are really serious about this goal keeping business , so with the aid of a large beach ball , Doris, Joan, Janet, Phyllis, Freda and Betty , get ready to take on the Arsenal .
20 August 1950 UK. Media Drum Images/Topfoto

The nostalgic photographs show beaches across Britain packed with revellers having the time of their lives building sandcastles, splashing in the water, stretching out on a sun lounger and even playing with donkeys. 

COLOURISED “Bobby” the beach Donkey drops in for his sugar ration from a fair Easter holidaymaker on the sands at Weston-super-mare, Somerset. Media Drum Images/Topfoto

These images include Brits’ time in the sun from the 1930s to the 1960s including finding a spark of joy in the darkest of times during World War Two. 

COLOURISED These sprightly Circusettes from the Tower Circus , Blackpool enjoy the air on Blackpool beach . Girls are left to right : Dorothy Makepeace , 21 ; Audrey Williams, Shirley Horsfall , 16 ; Ann Briggs , 22 ; Irene Harvey 16 and Noreen Stansfield , 1854 June 1954 UK. Media Drum Images/Topfoto

From sweeping sandy bays to secret pebbly coves, there are around 1,500 beaches dotted across the UK and Ireland, according to the UK beach list ā€“ meaning that in the UK you’re never very far from the coast.

COLOURISED The beach at Margate, Kent, UK. Media Drum Images/Topfoto
COLOURISED These girls, holidaying at Bournemouth, telll the story of the late September spell of hot sunshine in this picture taken as they run down the beach for a dip. 28 September 1946 UK. Media Drum Images/Topfoto

Some of the most popular and crowded beaches include Weymouth and Bournemouth Beach in Dorset. 

Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, is a trendy hotspot for surfers and beach-goers alike.

COLOURISED Chesil Beach A woman has a bird’s eye view of Chesil beach from the Isle of Portland, UK. Media Drum Images/Topfoto

The images cover beaches in the UK from Brighton to Margate to London, from pebble beaches to golden sands the experience of the seaside is mighty for the British Spirit. 

COLOURISED People enjoying the beach along the coast line at West Cliff , Dorset , England, UK. Media Drum Images/Topfoto

If you do like to be beside the seaside then the bustle beaches of Britain may be the perfect place for you. 

ENDS