St Ives: "Superb" says one resident

A university researcher has come up with a mathematical formula for identifying the perfect beach.

Dr Dimitrios Buhalis from Surrey University has translated people's holidaying needs into algebra.

He says St Ives has a high proportion of the things that people look for when they book a beach holiday.

WORLD TOP FIVE 1. Tuscan Riviera, Italy 2. Tarifa, Spain 3. South Beach. Miami 4. St Ives, Cornwall 5. Oludeniz, Turkey

He said: "The main variables are the beach quality, weather, entertainment, cultural activities, history, activities, familiarity and friendliness and shopping.

"There are more variables that determine whether people are going on beach holidays, the time, destination and the total cost."

Kathy Woolcock, who co-owns the Porthminster Caf� in St Ives, said she was not surprised at the resort's rating.

She said: "The place has its own individuality. The light is unique. I work here every evening and it's just superb.

"St Ives looks like a little nativity scene with all the lights."

St Ives beat Barbados which was placed 16th

She added: "There are four beaches and the people of St Ives look after them.

"There has even been a pod of dolphins in the bay and people in the restaurant are up in the seats with cries of delight."

Travel expert Neil Mott, said: "British resorts have done a great job in shaking off the stigma that used to be attached to them.

"They have cleaned up their act, won Blue flags, are close to home and a place like St Ives, with good food, has a lot going for it."

Number two on the England list of resorts is Holkham in Norfolk, followed by Woolacombe in Devon, Scarborough in Yorkshire and Lowestoft in Suffolk.

The formula is: (A x W) + 2 [E x C x V] + v[ F x S ] divided by (T)+(TC), where A=quality of beach, W=weather, E=entertainment, C=culture, V=activities, F=familiarity and friendliness, S=shopping, T=time to destination in hours, TC=total cost as a percentage of annual income.