Ah, the joys of summer!

MY home town, Falmouth in Cornwall, looks better than ever when the sun is shining. And no place reflects the joys of the season more than Gyllyngvase Beach, known locally as 'Gylly' (pronounced 'Gilly' - hard G), where tourists gather to sunbathe.

This ridiculous image captures some of the colour of the summer scene, with locals and holidaymakers snoozing and cavorting on the sands, which offer a wonderful outlook over Falmouth Bay. Just round the headland is the equally alluring Swanpool Beach, with its truly amazing ice-creams, and a little way on from that is Maenporth Beach, another stunning spot.

With Pendennis Castle off to the left, and The Manacles lying offshore to the right, sunbathers enjoy one of Britain's great seascapes, with ships lying on the horizon awaiting refuelling before heading out across the Atlantic.