Kent towns will be on television this weekend as a national show tells “extraordinary hidden stories” of British beaches.

Episode two of 'Britain by Beach' will feature Margate, Broadstairs, Hythe, Dymchurch and Dover as it explores the artistic and military history of the south-east coast.

Kent beach towns have a number of claims to fame in the world of art.

Vincent Van Gogh once worked as a tutor in Ramsgate, Tracy Emin was brought up in Margate and the town’s Turner Contemporary gallery sits on the former site of its namesake’s own lodgings.

JMW Turner will be a focus of the episode with presenter Anita Rani learning of a love story that inspired the English Romantic painter.

Mrs Rani will also highlight an unusual feature at Hythe and Dymchurch’s beaches, designed to keep Napoleon at bay.

The episode will air on Saturday (August 27) at 8pm on Channel 4.