THESE fascinating vintage snaps from times gone by show we've always liked to be beside the seaside.

A stunning collection of pictures of packed out Butlin's holidays camps from the 50s and 60s have been unearthed.

Holidaymakers can be seen packing out the pools, playing games in the clubhouse and whizzing around on four-wheel bikes.

Ultra glamorous 50s pin-ups in their bikinis are pictured posing on diving boards and mucking around in a fountain.

The images, which were recently discovered in TopFoto’s digital archives, show Butlin's glory days when the camps soared in popularity.

The firm's original owner Billy Butlin wanted to make the British seaside break accessible to all, creating a "place of colour and happiness" where entertainment would be provided so that families could really enjoy their time together.

Butlin's started at a camp in Skegness in 1936, followed by Clacton-on-Sea in 1938.

During World War Two the parks in Filey, Ayr, and Pwllheli were handed over to the government to help the war effort.

Bognor Regis (1960), Minehead (1962) and Barry Island (1966) opened next.

The 70s saw foreign holidays become increasingly affordable and British staycations lost their allure.

The Butlin family sold the business to the Rank Organisation in 1972 for £43million, before it was bought by Bourne Leisure in 2000.

Today the company is investing heavily in its three remaining sites in Skegness, Bognor and Minehead.

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