SUN worshippers looking for golden sands, sea and a pier should head to Darlington, according to a national advertising campaign.

Usually famous for being the birthplace of the railway, Darlington has been given a new image by the British Resorts Association.

In a three page advert in a Sunday newspaper, Darlington was ranked alongside Worthing, Eastbourne and Great Yarmouth as a great coastal seaside resort.

While the description of the town with "its markets, shopping centres and medieval yards" painted an accurate picture of Darlington, the photo of the town showed children playing on a beach with a pier in the background.

The advert went on to say: "Go on, make the most of your coast and have a great British holiday."

David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, joked: "May-be it's what they think it will be like after the effects of global warming!

"We have enough attractions in Darlington, we don't have to pretend to be by the sea."

No one at the British Resorts Association was available to comment on the mishap.