LOCALS of a town crowned as one of the coolest places to live in the country have told how they are worried instagrammers could reveal their secret.

Seaside resort Broadstairs came in the top 20 in a study that based its rankings on factors like how "Instagrammable" areas are.

The study carried out by well-being brand Naturecan – ranked the seaside town as the coolest town in Kent.

The company praised Broadstairs for its "long, wide sandy beach lined with pretty, colourful beach huts and sheltered by low chalk cliffs".

But although locals are excited about the award, some are worried it could mean their quiet, retro town could soon be packed with influencers and Instagrammers.

Carol Stone, 68, has lived around the area all her life and fears the study could bring unwanted hoards of tourists.

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She said: "I was born in Margate so not far away at all.

"The amazing thing is how little it has changed over the years. It's still the same as I remember from my childhood.

"Even when the weather is awful like it is it's still a great place to be.

"I live in St Peter's. It's absolutely lovely. I love living there so much.

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"I'm almost worried you being here will spoil the secret of how amazing it is.

"I think it more than deserves the title."

But others are delighted that their area has been recognised for its beauty.

The town hosts a Dickens Festival annually in honour of the novelist Charles Dickens – who visited the town frequently and even wrote David Copperfield while staying at Bleak House in Broadstairs – on the third week of June.

Other notable people to have called the town home include former PM Sir Edward Heath and Clangers creator Oliver Postgate.

It also hosts the Harrington's DIY shop – the old fashioned shop that inspired the famous Four Candles sketch by the Two Ronnie's.

Richard Mann has worked as a manager in Morelli's Gelato – an iconic ice cream shop in the town – for nine years.

The first Morelli's Ice Cream Parlour in the UK was opened on the Broadstairs seafront above the picturesque Viking Bay in 1932.

It has been a core part of the town ever since.

'AMAZING PLACE TO LIVE'

The 31-year-old said:  "I think it should be number one in the whole country. It's an amazing place to live.

"I was born in the area and, apart from a few years when I was at uni, I've spent all my life around here.

"First of all, the people are the nicest you'll ever meet. I'm sure everyone says that about their town but I really do think it's true.

"There's a sense of community that is lacking in other places. People look out for each other here, it's a very kind town.

"But it's not just the people. I probably take it for granted but there's an incredible amount of things to see and do.

"The beach is beautiful, I don't go as much as I should, and the town has all you need.

"I think for young adults the lifestyle may be on the slow side but for a young family or anyone retired it's more than deserving of the title."

Sarah Brown-Doyle and her husband Peter moved down to Broadstairs five years ago.

The couple were relaxing in the ice cream shop with a morning coffee to escape the howling winds.

'STEPPED BACK IN TIME'

They both agreed that the quaint town deserved all the attention it has been getting recently.

Sarah, 61, said: "We bought a holiday home here five years ago because I always loved coming here when I was young.

"After eight months we moved into it full time. We love it that much.

"My daughter thought I was absolutely bonkers to move here but once you've been here you won't want to leave.

"Our lifestyle has changed dramatically. Its just a different way of living from the hustle and bustle of London.

"The way people treat each other here is wonderful. Everyone knows each other without it being intrusive and it's just a lovely atmosphere.

"The town is beautiful and walking along the beach is so lovely. It's a bit of a cliche round here but it is true, it does feel like you've stepped back in time.

"Even here in Morelli's nothing has really changed since the 60s. It looks and feels exactly the same.

"And the way they treat people here is the same as it was then. If someone came in with no money they'd still feed them because it's just that sort of place."

Peter, a 67-year-old who teaches leadership courses, added: "There's such a strong sense of community here. When we go out walking people stop us just to say hello.

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"Being a couple of DFLs (down from Londoners) we're not used to that at all. It takes some time adjust and is almost unnerving at first.

"But we both love it so much, I couldn't think of leaving it now."

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