THE Essex coastal resort of Frinton has been named as the one of the best in the country, thanks to its “back to the fifties” charm. With its reputation of a bygone era, visiting the town certainly has a feel of yesteryear and that did not go unnoticed in the search for the best seaside locations in the country.

THE Essex coastal resort of Frinton has been named as the one of the best in the country, thanks to its “back to the fifties” charm.

With its reputation of a bygone era, visiting the town certainly has a feel of yesteryear and that did not go unnoticed in the search for the best seaside locations in the country.

Which? magazine placed Frinton third in its 10 favourite places, behind Whitby with its “picture perfect” harbour and Norfolk's Wells-next-the-Sea.

It is praised Frinton for its soft sandy beaches, greensward, and “eclectic mix” of shops on the famed Connaught Avenue.

The report also paid tribute to the town for being clean, safe and quiet.

And yesterday , town councillor Terry Allen said it was no surprise to see Frinton beating other big name resorts.

“People come to Frinton for what it has not got, all those things that other seaside resorts have like arcades and kids activities.

“Here we have the nostalgia, the sea and open spaces and greens and sandy beaches - people can look out from the greensward and the view is pretty much unchanged from 30 years ago other than the sea defences.

“We want to keep it a secret, we don't want a lot of people to know about it - there are the people in the know and that is how they like it,” he joked.

The Which? report said: “At low tide, Frinton's beach is a broad expanse of soft sand beneath a wide green, where families build sandcastles or play cricket on the grass, while stressed out professionals relax over golf on the seaside course.”

However, it does warn people hoping to book a holiday there should plan ahead.

“With only one hotel, a guesthouse and B&B, finding a bed is not always straight forward. The best option is to hire an apartment in any of the town's graceful mansions.”

n The other top resorts, as named by Which?, were - Whitby, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Swanage, Sidmouth, St Ives, Tenby, Abersoch, Rothesay on the Isle of Bute and Portrush.