RESIDENTS in a seaside town dubbed the "Costa del Dole" say they are not surprised it's been voted one of the worst in Britain.

Travel experts gave Rhyl, North Wales, a score of just five out of 100 in the Telegraph's Seaside Gentrification Index.

St Ives, Cornwall – which came 93 points above Rhyl – came top of the list, which looked at 20 resorts over the past three decades to see how they've adapted.

Towns were judged on anything from air quality to the standard of their high streets.

But residents in Rhyl told The Sun the measly ranking was because the town had "gone horribly downhill" in recent times.

Amy Jones, 42, who lives in the town with her family, blames the town's demise for it's "drunks" and "drug problem".

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She previously said: "We live here but we wish we didn't. Many of the hotels are full of druggies, it is a disaster.

"There are no decent shops. Drunks stagger around on the streets and the place has a dreadful drug problem."

Rhyl’s decline began in the 1970s as cheap package holidays to Europe, notably Spain, soared in popularity.

In 1973, the town's famous pier – the oldest in north Wales – was demolished.

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The much-loved domed Pavilion theatre was bulldozed the following year.

Rhyl born and bred Willain Revatto, 57, explained: "In the '70s and '80s you couldn't walk along the pavement because there were so many people coming here for a good time.

"You can't even see the sea now because of all the eyesore new buildings they have put up along the sea front. The town planners are trying to make improvements."

But the resort’s efforts to inject new life into the town with a new shopping centre and a museum and library complex have failed.

'HELLHOLE'

And the proposed site for a light show is now a pay-and-display car park.

The town's decline is reflected in horrific reviews left by visitors – with one livid tourist branding it "a dump".

They wrote on TripAdvisor: "The beachfront looks tired and very tatty. All the arcades look even worse.

"What a shame it could be with a little care and attention a popular spot for the family."

Another fumed about the beach, adding: "We thought this might be a nostalgic day out. We were very wrong.

"There is obviously a very bad drug problem in the town, with people openly injecting drugs as you walk by."

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While a third blasted Rhyl as "a complete hellhole".

They warning visitors: "Expect to see gangs of teenage ASBOs wandering the streets shouting and screaming."

As part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, nearly £25million is being spent on the town centre as the resort attempts to redefine itself.

More £65million in investment has also been attracted for projects including a waterpark, a new bridge and harbour improvements.

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The Pavilion Theatre has been renovated and the town now has a Premier Inn and Travelodge.

Rhyl’s redeveloped Queen’s Market is due to be unveiled this summer, providing a new indoor market hall and “event space”.

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