WHETHER it's a famous landmark like The Deep, the dramatic natural backdrop of Spurn Point or even a sink in a Hull public toilet, coastal life in East Yorkshire has been captured on a new photographic book.
Peter Williams, a seaside enthusiast and a former English Heritage photographer, visited 170 beaches across England for his new publication entitled The English Seaside.
East Yorkshire features heavily in the book, which captures all aspects of coastal life.
Well-known landmarks and dominant vistas are featured alongside less celebrated aspects of seaside life such as public toilets, benches and beach huts.
The towers from the old pier at Withernsea feature alongside the likes of North Landing Beach at Flamborough and crazy golf in Bridlington.
Councillor Jane Evison, East Riding Council's tourism portfolio holder, said: "There is no better way to promote an area than pictorially. We welcome any sort of help in this way.
"People are beginning to realise that this is a very nice and unspoilt part of the country. We have had more national coverage recently due to the likes of Hockney and it is becoming more of a tourist destination.
"What is good about this book is that it isn't pushing tourism and the author isn't looking to promote East Yorkshire. The photos speak for themselves and this is the best kind of publicity.
"It is somebody from outside the area showcasing the beautiful landscape we have."
One of the stand-out photographs is of the lighthouse at Spurn Point.
The nature reserve is run by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
The trust's director of development, Jonathan Leadley, said: "Spurn is one of the most enigmatic and unique places on the UK coast.
"It is remarkable for its wildlife which is world renowned for its migrant birds.
"It also has very important salt marshes and is a very unique landform.
"But there is also an interesting heritage with a military history, lifeboats and shipping.
"It is a wonderful place to visit and very photogenic.
"The scenery is very dramatic, with the Humber, one of the UK's biggest rivers, on one side and the North Sea on the other."
Mr Williams talks about the remoteness of Spurn and also praises the regeneration of Bridlington's seafront.
He insists the reputation seaside towns have gained over recent years is unfair.
He said: "For too long the seaside has suffered from bad press.
"It is accused of being tatty, of being moribund, of being the 'Costa Geriatrica'.
"Cold, grey, windswept, raining it may be at times and, inevitably, it has all the shortcomings of society at large – alcoholism, gambling, drugs and the rest.
"But I have found the seaside to be warm-hearted, welcoming and positive. It's not simply the ozone that draws the visitor to the comfort of a hotel with sea views, but some inner need to commune with nature and return to the sea.
"It's also about having fun – riding the rides for a thrill and a scare, seeing the shows and playing the machines.
"Above all, it is having the freedom to wander and to build sandcastles, dam streams and bury dad up to his neck in the sand."
The English Seaside is published by English Heritage and will be out on May 27, costing £14.99.
