BOURNEMOUTH is 'bucking a national trend' which shows a decline in visits to the UK coastline, according to statistics.

The National Trust have released figures from YouGov which indicate that the number of people visiting Britain's beaches each year has fallen by around a third in the past decade.

However Mark Smith, Director of Tourism for Bournemouth, said their own research from 2013 and 2014 show that visitor numbers are 'very healthy' in the town, with around 6.88million people heading to the area each year.

He added: "We are also able to measure Bournemouth’s appeal by looking at the income generated by our seafront services and third party contractors.

"Overall our seafront income has increased from 2012/13 by around 31-per-cent in 2013/14 and 32-per-cent in 2014/15.

"We put our success down to a continued drive for excellence and a commitment to keeping the resort offer fresh and exciting for both residents and visitors. Investments in the town and seafront are aimed at positioning Bournemouth as a world-class resort and what really sets us apart is a comprehensive programme of free festivals and events throughout the year."

Results from the poll also suggest that only 14-per-cent of 18 to 24-year-olds said that their happiest childhood memory is by the sea, compared to 38-per-cent of over-55s.

Jason Freezer, interim director of The National Coastal Tourism Academy, based in Bournemouth, said that the National Trust's findings about young people match their own.

He added: "As a result we’ve commissioned new research to understand exactly how this group perceives the coast, what activities they choose and what influences their holiday choices."

According to research published by The National Coastal Tourism Academy, visitors spend a total of £501million each year, which represents 15-per-cent of Bournemouth's total economy.

Graham Richardson, Poole Tourism Manager, said that visitors used to visit Poole's coast and beaches when the weather is good, but over the past few years, this has changed as people enjoy more activity-based holidays.

He added: "There a lots of families who specifically want time away from technology and Poole’s beaches offer the perfect holiday adventure away from it all. This plus all the events and attractions on offer means there has never been a better time to visit."

The National Trust is marking the 50 anniversary of the Neptune Coastline Campaign by bringing the coast to landlocked cities with a full coastal sensory experience in the form of a giant interactive shell called Shellsphere.