A NEW app which lets you see which beaches are overcrowded this summer is being rolled out across the UK in time for the holidays.

Beach Check UK has introduced a traffic light system allowing families to find a much quieter beach without the crowds.

Beaches which are overcrowded will be labelled red, while amber for ones that are less so and green being the least congested.

The free app was originally tested by Bournemouth council last summer, where more than 500,000 tourists swarmed to the beach while other coastal resorts also saw a huge influx in families.

Similar number are expected this year with foreign travel still being off limits for many Brits, especially those who are not fully vaccinated.

Local Government Minister Luke Hall said the national roll out of the app was to help people self distance and stay safe this summer, adding: "This is why the Government is funding Europe’s first innovative beach check app to allow people to check whether beaches are busy before travelling to avoid a surge of visitors.

"This will allow coastal communities to carefully welcome back visitors and will help local areas bounce back from the hardship faced by the pandemic."

Beaches in Devon, Kent, East Sussex and Kent will be included, along with areas in Somerset and Hampshire.

There are plans to sign up more coastal locations, and app users are encouraged to contact their local authority if they feel their area would benefit.

NCTA Director Samantha Richardson added: "When temperatures have soared both this year and last, we have witnessed over-crowding on numerous hot-spot beaches around the country.

"This app developed by BCP Council allows users to plan ahead, travel to quieter areas to ensure safe social distancing."

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