SEASIDE towns are reporting a boom as more people appear to be opting for “staycations” at the coast during tough economic times.

New research has revealed that the seaside tourism industry is growing, as the sector continues to employ more people.

The findings dispel fears that the cost of living crisis was resulting in a big fall in spending on leisure and tourism as households tightened their belts.

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University say more than 200,000 jobs are now directly supported by the sector in England and Wales and this figure has continued to grow.

The Sheffield team say seaside tourism now employs more people than the motor industry, aerospace, pharmaceuticals or steel.

A number of resorts in the region were included in the list of 63 locations where more than 1,000 jobs are directly supported by tourism.

Blackpool is still the biggest resort in terms of seaside tourism jobs with nearly 16,000.

The twelfth largest collection of jobs was in Scarborough, where 3,800 people are believed to be employed. There are 1,900 jobs in Whitby directly supported by tourism and 1,800 in South Shields. Redcar has 1,300 jobs and Whitley Bay 1,100.

The study - Seaside Towns in the Age of Austerity - was commissioned by British Destinations, the UK-wide association of local authorities and tourism bodies.

Peter Hampson, chief executive of British Destinations, said: "The British seaside tourist industry has too often been written off as a relic of the past, and assumed to be on the same downward trajectory as so many other famous British industries.

"Anyone familiar with the resorts themselves knows this was always a myth, and I'm delighted that the new figures from Sheffield Hallam expose the truth."

Scarborough Borough Council estimates visitors to Scarborough and Whitby economy contributed £470m to the local economy in 2012 and supported in the region of 15,500 jobs directly or indirectly.

Councillor David Chance, the cabinet member for tourism and culture, said the 45 miles of coastline and its seaside towns drew a large number of repeat visitors.

He said Whitby and Scarborough were attracting their own, distinct markets, with a lot of younger visitors going to Scarborough for its surfing and festivals.

He said: “The area is also developing new markets and is becoming increasing well regarded for its surfing and youth culture and its festivals and events and these combinations of products attract a younger, newer audience who are beginning to change the overall perception of the area.”

Coun Chance said Whitby’s unique mix of maritime, literary, ecclesiastical and geological heritage and quirky shops made it unique and attractive to visitors all year round.