For dog owners, a walk on the beach is a great way to spend quality time with their pooch.
However, from Sunday, May 1, some beaches across the North East will introduce restrictions on four-legged visitors as the weather gets warmer and in theory, the number of beachgoers increases. A seasonal ban usually runs from May 1 to September 30, and those who do not heed it risk fines for environmental offences.
Here's a round up of all the beaches in the North East either where dogs are banned or there are restrictions during the summer months.
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Northumberland
There are only two beaches where dogs are not allowed in Northumberland. With such an extensive coastline, that means you can take them on one of Europe's best beaches at Bamburgh, as well as stunning stretches of sand such as Druridge Bay and Alnmouth.
Dogs are banned from the section of beach by Newbiggin by the Sea from the breakwater at Church Point to the beach access from the promenade at Sidney Crescent and the section of beach at Blyth from the beach access at Beachway to the beach access at the southern end of the Links Road car park from May 1 to September 30.
Dogs are also not permitted in any enclosed children's play areas at any time of the year, due to a Northumberland County Council (Dog Control) Public Spaces Protection Order.
What do you think about dogs being banned on beaches in summer? Have your say in the comments section
North Tyneside
The beaches in North Tyneside are some of the region's most popular and easiest to access via car or public transport, with it often hard to find somewhere to put down a towel during the summer months. Whitley Bay (South) Beach, Cullercoats Bay, King Edward's Bay and Tynemouth Longsands (South) are all off limits to those with dogs.
South Tyneside
Also popular as you can get there on the Metro, just one beach in South Tyneside has a summer dog ban - Sandhaven in South Shields. That's just during the hours of 8am until 6pm though, so you can take dogs on outside of those times.
Dog walkers can also access Littlehaven Beach and Marsden Beach year-round.
Where is your favourite beach to walk your dog in the North East? Let us know in the comments below!
Sunderland
There are dog exclusion zones on Roker Beach and a limited stretch of beach at Seaburn from May 1 to September 30. These are part of Sunderland City Council's wider Public Space Protection Order which was renewed last year, with anyone who breaches the order facing a fixed penalty fine of £100.
Michelle Coates, Neighbourhood Enforcement Manager at Sunderland City Council, said: "We're lucky enough to have some fabulous beaches in Sunderland with more than enough space for everyone, so we would ask anyone planning to take their dog for a walk along the beach to make sure that they check the signage and observe the zones. We would also ask people to make sure that they clean up after their dogs.
"Although the vast majority of our residents do this, we still see some irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to foul on our footpaths, green spaces and beaches and don't clear it up. This has resulted in us issuing 194 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and dog control offences citywide in the last year, and 62 for dog fouling and dog control at Roker and Seaburn beaches over the same period."
County Durham
Dogs are permitted on all beaches in County Durham. Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: "We have some truly stunning beaches in County Durham, from Seaham to Blackhall Rocks and Crimdon Dene, and dog walkers and their pets are very welcome at all of them throughout the year.
"All we ask is that owners pick up after their dogs, do not let them stray and that they put them on a lead when asked to do so by one of our neighbourhood wardens or a police officer."
See how the debate is going on this issue in the comments section
