THE sandy beaches of Furness have few equals and are the place to be when the summer sun decides to shine – but be sure to take your bucket and spade.

The Mail, on August 20 in 2002, noted: “The National Trust held a sand sculpture session for children at Roanhead where it manages 700 acres of coastline on the Sandscale Hawes estate.

“Children aged seven to 13 took part.

“The winner was Haley Bolton, 13, of Askam but all the children taking part received a prize said National Trust warden Peter Burton.

“The sculptures included two mermaids, a starfish, a turtle and an angel fish.

“Special events, including a creatures of the sea pond dipping session, were also organised over the weekend by the National Trust to support Barrow’s Festival of the Sea.”

In October 2002 artistic people at Bardsea beach were involved in a world record attempt as part in National Drawing Day.

The event involved thousands of people across the country and at Bardsea groups drew pictures in the sand of things personal to them, or images of the Ulverston district.

The Mail, on July 15, in 2003 had reporters in Barrow town centre, at Walney’s beaches and at Dalton’s wild animal park to see how people were coping with soaring temperatures.

Families from Belfast and Pennington were among those enjoying the cooling sea water at North Scale on Walney but there were people shopping in Barrow from much further afield.

The Mail noted: “Sun-soaked Barrow town centre was filled with summer shoppers as temperatures topped 25C.

“Young American holidaymakers Jordan Slocum, 10 and sisters Quinn, seven, and Bailey, four, were shopping in the sun with mum Kris.

“Jordan and Quinn were showing their love for Britain with some trendy sleeveless Union Jack tops.”

Mrs Slocum said: “We’re here for eight weeks from Connecticut.

“I’m glad we’re getting some summer weather.”

Peter and Angela Probert, of Thrum Street, Barrow, said: “We’ve been out enjoying the sun all morning.

“We’d like to see even more of it and I really hope it lasts a while longer.”