Neighbouring seaside towns squabble over title of sunniest place in the UK Meteorologist Philip Eden handed the award to Eastbourne, East Sussex, for its 1,962 hours of sunlight last year, only for it to be hotly contested by Hastings's own meteorologist David Powell who claims Hastings recorded nearly 50 hours more. Eastbourne Borough Council's website meanwhile boasts that sunshine hours average 5.02 per day, "the only place with over five hours." Weather presenter Michael Fish is also noted on the website as saying: "Not only is Eastbourne my home town but it is also one of my favourite holiday destinations. The beauty of being sheltered by Beachy Head means that Eastbourne has a unique microclimate and really is sunny all year round. According to Mr Eden, who manages websites weather-uk.com and climate-uk.com, Eastbourne pipped Kinlochewe, Scotland, and Weymouth, Dorset to take the crown with average temperatures of 12 degrees. The figures have also been challenged by Jersey's Met Office. David de Cartere, tourism director for the channel island, said: "We are regularly challenged on our claims to be the warmest and sunniest place in Britain. It is a status we pride the island upon as it is a natural advantage we have over all our UK competitors. The scientific facts speak for themselves and we are happy to counter any challenges to our great record. Neil Stanley, cabinet member for tourism and leisure at Eastbourne Borough Council, said: "We are delighted to hear we are yet again the sunniest place in the UK."