YORK residents don’t need to brave A64 jams and head to the Yorkshire coast to find a beach.

Two sandy urban ‘beaches’ have been created in the city, specially for the summer holidays.

Down at the Coppergate Centre, 15 tonnes of sand are being used to create ‘Coppergate Strand, a classic British beach scene, with wind breaks, buckets, spades, windmills, sand moulds and a few deckchairs for anyone who fancies knotting a hanky on their head and braving the British summer sun!’ said organisers.

They said the name was of Viking origin, as ‘strond’ was the Norse word for ‘beach’.

Centre manager Pippa Unwin said: “We thought that creating our own urban beach was a great way to give families some chill-out time in the city centre this summer.

“The stores in the Coppergate Centre sell everything you might need for a beach holiday, from sunscreen and sunglasses to beachwear and flip-flops.”

A special foot-washing area was being set up so that no-one had to wander around York with uncomfortably sandy feet. The beach officially opens tomorrow.

Another 15 tonnes of sand has been used to turn the beer garden at the Fulford Arms pub into The Fulford Atlantic Beach.

Spokesman Chris Sherrington said it had something to offer for young and old, with a range of events from sandcastle competitions and mural painting days to Tiki beach parties and volleyball matches.

He said the pub in Fulford Road had partnered up with Sharp’s Brewery from Cornwall to bring a taste of Cornwall to North Yorkshire. “The Fulford Arms will be stocking Atlantic Pale Ale both on draught and in bottles,” he added.

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