SEVERAL towns and cities in the region have been included in a list of the top tourist hotspots in the UK.

A survey of 10,000 holiday-goers revealed the 50 towns and cities in Great Britain that people will be visiting this summer.

Conducted by Pegasus Marine Finance, the survey showed Whithby in fifth, York in tenth place, Newcastle in 17th, Scarborough 19th, Durham 30th, Barnard Castle 33rd, South Shields 34th, Alnwick 42nd, and Berwick, 43rd.

Edinburgh emerged as the winner and London was second.

According to data from Visit England, the number of overseas holidays booked by British people is 16 per cent lower than it was prior to the recession, while ‘staycations’ increased by 12 per cent between 2008 and 2013.

Jonathan Le Roux, co-founder and director of Pegasus Marine Finance, said: “Staycations are clearly a very popular way to holiday currently, and why not.

“Britain is beautiful and in my opinion is hard to beat when the rain’s not falling.

“Whether you’re visiting towns and villages of historical value or enjoying our varied coastline, the UK offers amazing diversity.”

Top 50 list:

1. Edinburgh

2. London

3. Bournemouth

4. Manchester

5. Whitby

6. Hastings

7. Blackpool

8. Inverness

9. Stratford-upon-Avon

10. York

11. Skegness

12. Great Yarmouth

13. Portsmouth

14. Nottingham

15. Brighton

16. Liverpool

17. Newcastle

18. Kendal

19. Scarborough

20. Cambridge

21. Glasgow

22. Watford

23. Keswick

24. Leeds

25. Chester

26. Isle of Man

27. Oxford

28. Alton

29. Aberfoyle

30. Durham

31. Cardiff

32. Morecambe

33. Barnard Castle

34. South Shields

35. Christchurch

36. Abergavenny

37. Salford

38. Ely

39. Belfast

40. Stroud

41. Harlech

42. Alnwick

43. Berwick

44. Newport

45. Amesbury

46. Penrith

47. Aberystwyth

48. Whitehaven

49. Bushmills

50. Inveraray