A Kent beach has been named as one of the UK's safest dog-friendly seafronts.

West Beach in Whitstable has been named in the top 50 list of places to visit on the coast.

Pet emergency service Vets Now unveiled the beaches to ensure the nation of pet lovers stay safe.

Experts examined the UK’s coastline, creating a 32-page comprehensive digital guide on the best - and safest - beaches for dogs.

West Beach got the seal of approval for its mile-long stretch of shingle divided up by wooden groynes which offers dogs unrestricted access to the coast.

Vets Now professional standards director Laura Playforth said the experts only chose beaches where the water quality is deemed high, dogs are welcome all year round, parking and access is good and a daytime vet is based nearby.

"The team were really impressed with Whitstable West, especially its pet friendliness and facilities on offer, and believe it to be an ideal destination for the UK’s dog lovers," she said.

Complaints about litter on the town's seafront have dominated headlines this summer and many have pitched ideas on how to tackle the issue.

Canterbury City Council is considering introducing a raft of stringent Public Spaces Protection Orders in a bid to crackdown on yobs and litter louts .

The plans, which aim to crack down on nuisance behaviour, would see rule-breakers given on-the-spot fines.

The full Vets Now list is available to view here .

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable