The resort has become one of the UK's first coastal towns to provide visitors – of whom it receives more than 5.5 million a year – with free broadband wi-fi access, with the launch of its Freebay project.

As well as providing coverage for users along the Sandside area, the signal range extends across the whole of Scarborough's harbour and marina, bringing free access to the yachts, motor and fishing boats moored there.

John Senior, who owns the Golden Grid cafe and is chairman of Scarborough's South Bay Traders' Association, said: "Over the last few years cafes, hotels and other public areas have provided wireless internet access but have made a charge for the service.

"Now our association has launched this initiative to fund and provide completely free broadband access. Visiting business men and women can be in contact with their office and business world whilst enjoying lunch on the sea front."

Fishing boats and other sea-going craft can now get up-to-the-minute weather reports immediately before leaving harbour and the tourists can obtain the latest information on Scarborough's attractions.

He added: "This is a superb example of how tradition meets technology, with Britain's first ever coastal resort now providing the country's first sea front with free broadband wi-fi access."

The idea will raise eyebrows because Scarborough sea front has always been seen as a haunt of a traditional holiday crowd drawn by the amusements, beach, fish and chips and
donkey rides.

It was seen as a market that was likely to be largely untouched by Scarborough's attempts to become the broadband capital of Britain using technology being installed in the area to give the resort the fastest internet connections in the country, for business customers.

However, Leeds businessman Andy Fletcher has been one of the first to enjoy the new harbourside service from the comfort of his twin engine power boat, called La Bonita.

He said: "You might not think of putting a laptop in your sandwich box and heading from Scarborough. But from a boat owner's perspective I would use it all the time and can come to Scarborough and do business.

"We also use it for safety reports while boating. As a tourist coming to Scarborough it would be hard to say I would benefit from having a laptop, but my daughter will not go anywhere without MSN so it's encouragement that she can bring her laptop and play on it while we are here.

"At the moment not many marina users have got this kind of service. It is only just being introduced on the South Coast – but already boat owners are starting to insist on it. I have not seen it anywhere on the East Coast."

Mr Fletcher, 46, runs two businesses in Garforth: Braemar UK, which supplies metal working fluids to engineering companies, and Lasercharge UK, which produces printing cartridges.

"The other thing from Scarborough's point of view is that they will be able to put cameras on the harbourside so I can see my boat from my office in Leeds just by going on the internet," he added.

Hardware costs have been jointly funded by Yorkshire Forward and South Bay Traders' Association, with support for installation provided by G2 Security and Deepdale Computer Services.

Internet connections have been funded by Corrigan's Amusements and the Golden Grid Restaurant, with the wireless access sites provided by South Bay Traders' Association.