Come rain or shine, the family of eight get their buckets and spades out ready for their annual August Bank Holiday trip to Bournemouth, Dorset.

Their traditional British seaside holiday was started 45 years ago by grandparents Maureen, 73, and Charlie, 82.

The couple's son Stephen, 47, his wife Alison, 40, and their four children Lindsey, 21, Emma, 16, Grace, 10 and Joseph, six, have joined them along the years.

The family from Stoke on Trent have booked beach hut number 2076 and stayed in the same bed and breakfast – the Fircliff – in the leafy suburb of Alum Chine for the past 15 years.

Mrs Cotterill Snr, a retired dispatch supervisor for Royal Doulton, said: "We are steeped in tradition. My son has been coming since he was a baby and no matter where we all go for the rest of the year, we all like to have this week here in Bournemouth.

"Stephen is up at 6am and walks all around Boscombe and other places, then we spend the day with the children on the beach, rain or shine."

Mr Cotterill, a retired polisher for Royal Doulton, would not swap his week in Bournemouth for foreign climes and added: "I like the fresh air, it seems to do me the world of good."

The family also meet up with Eileen Marsh, 88, and her son Kevin, 49, during their week-long break. The pair, from Swanley in Kent, have stayed at same hotel for more than 15 years and the entire group make sure they book the same week's stay every year.

"It's like home from home," added Mrs Cotterill. "We are that comfortable together they all have a doze after dinner."

Widow Mrs Marsh said: "When the sun comes out this is the best country in the world. Some people go abroad because they like to say they have been abroad whether they like it or not."

Mr Marsh, a lorry driver, said it beats cheap package holidays abroad and added: "With our scenery and coastline, it's no wonder more people are holidaying at home – you can't beat a traditional English holiday."

Kath Black, who owns The Fircliff with her husband Ian, said: "I have watched the family grow over the years and when they stay it is like having a large family reunion. It's wonderful.

"Eileen Marsh is the first signature in our guest book."