Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside...

IT’S the time of year when many people explore the shoreline, cagily wet their toes in the incoming tide, more daringly breast the white-fringed waves, or simply stroll along our beaches.

You don’t have to be a beachcomber to enjoy our 7,500km coastline. For, the wonders of nature and wildlife are all around — underfoot, overhead and in the water.

The lengthy fine spell so far this summer has attracted thousands to the seaside. Whether you’re a surfer, swimmer, birdwatcher, or a person that just loves to inhale the bracing air, you’re always sure to leave feeling better than when you arrived.