A beach sometimes referred to as the region’s ‘best kept secret’ has been named one of the finest in the world.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Dimascios Ice cream Team. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Dimascios Ice cream Team. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Gorleston beach has been listed in the top 10pc of attractions across the globe in the 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards.

Its wide white sands and long promenade received the certificate for consistently receiving positive traveller feedback, with winners chosen based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

And on Tuesday (September 14), with temperatures climbing to 25C and the beach and promenade flocked with visitors enjoying the Indian summer - it was another five stars.

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Emma Jayne England, Hughie Hunn and Reece Hunn. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Emma Jayne England, Hughie Hunn and Reece Hunn. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Tracey Kelly, manager of Dimascio’s Ice Cream, which sits in a row of businesses on the seafront, said: “There has been no change and that’s why people love it.

“Gorleston people are quite protective of this area and they love it the way it is.

“I can see it being more popular with all that’s going on, because a lot of people are choosing to stay at home for holidays.

“It’s very untouched and has not been commercialised too much,” she added.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Couple enjoying the beach. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Couple enjoying the beach. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Next door, at the Marina Bay takeaway, director George Challouma, 47, said: “Where do I start? It’s the size of the beach, its cleanliness, it’s very spacious, it’s nice and peaceful, this is what brings people here.”

The new boss at Coast Pizza, Kyriakos Kikis, better known as Kiki, said: “It’s a beautiful beach, a big open space, and it is actually quite clean as well.

“All the businesses all get along, we all love each other, it’s like a family,” he added.

Further along the promenade, couples and families were walking or sitting on the benches overlooking the bay and long, curving beach.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Ronnie and Angela Carroll, from Melton Mowbray, said: “It’s always clean, there’s no rubbish, it’s a pleasant place to be, and everybody is friendly in the shops.”

Ingrid and Les Barker, both in their 70s, had travelled from Oldham.

“It’s very nice,” said Mrs Barker.

She was impressed that no dogs are allowed on the beach.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. George Challouma, director of Marina bay takeaway. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. George Challouma, director of Marina bay takeaway. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

“We said since we couldn’t get a holiday abroad, that we’d have a holiday here and make the most of it,” she added.

Cllr Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “We are extremely proud to see that Gorleston Beach has been awarded the Travellers Choice Award 2020 by Tripadvisor.

“With its great range of facilities, distinctive atmosphere and miles of golden sands, which are kept clean by our dedicated beach cleansing team, we are not surprised the popularity of this particular beach has risen, especially since its cameo in the Danny Boyle film ‘Yesterday’.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Jan and Grandaighter Pearl enjoying the beach. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Jan and Grandaighter Pearl enjoying the beach. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor. Kiki, manager of Coast Pizza. Award Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor. Kiki, manager of Coast Pizza. Award Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Hughie Hunn enjoying the beach. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award. Hughie Hunn enjoying the beach. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGorleston beach wins TripAdvisor Award Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)