Beach at Port Eynon on Gower voted Britain's best

The judges said Port Eynon won "hands down" with 41% of the public vote

A bay on the Gower peninsula has been voted Britain's best beach.

Port Eynon was noted for being rugged and wild in nature but still safe for families to enjoy.

A number of beaches from around the UK were nominated by travel writers and tourist boards, with the public asked to vote.

A total of 41% backed Port Eynon, and Swansea lord mayor Ioan Richard said the result was a big boost for local tourism.

Port Eynon received 3,124 votes from more than 8,000.

It is a double for Gower, as the award was won last year by nearby Rhossili Bay.

"Port Eynon won hands down with many thousands of votes from all across Britain," said Mr Richard.

"It has been 60 years now as the first area of outstanding nature beauty in Britain.

"It's a safe area and a beautiful area," he said.

Judges included travel editors for the Daily Mirror and Mail on Sunday newspapers as well as tourist board officials from around the UK.

It won the Cadbury Flake 99 Great British Beach Awards, described as "a celebration of our nation's best and most treasured seasides".

The judges said Port Eynon represents the "perfect British getaway" with a "fun family feel, stunning landscape and idyllic village".

Those also nominated included Broadstairs, Kent, with its promenade and "quaint squares of fishermen's cottages", along with Weymouth beach, Dorset, Southport in Lancashire, and Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire, among others.