Sandbanks, the picturesque Dorset peninsula, has once again been crowned Britain's most expensive seaside location, with average house prices hovering near the £1 million mark. According to recent research by Lloyds, despite a 3% decrease from the previous year, the average home in Sandbanks commands a staggering £965,708, solidifying its status as the pinnacle of coastal luxury living. This marks a continuation of the area's dominance over the UK's coastal property market, a position it has held for several years.

The allure of Sandbanks is not hard to decipher. With its golden sandy beaches, pristine waters, and a vibrant scene of upscale restaurants and nightlife, it's a magnet for celebrities and high-net-worth individuals seeking an exclusive lifestyle. The peninsula's appeal is further bolstered by its reputation for luxury properties and a slower, more refined pace of life, factors that continue to drive demand and sustain its premium pricing.

Following Sandbanks in the rankings are Salcombe in Devon and Padstow in Cornwall, with average house prices of £826,159 and £715,974 respectively. These locations, along with Sandbanks, highlight the South West's dominance in the list of Britain's most expensive coastal areas. The research also sheds light on the broader coastal property market, noting a 1% dip in average prices across the UK's seaside towns, bringing the average to £295,991. Despite this slight decrease, coastal homes have seen an 18% increase in value over the past five years, with premium locations like Sandbanks experiencing a 37% surge.

The contrast between the UK's most and least expensive coastal locations is stark. Campbeltown in Scotland, with an average property price of £103,078, stands at the opposite end of the spectrum, nearly ten times cheaper than Sandbanks. This disparity underscores the varied nature of Britain's coastal property market, offering options for a wide range of budgets. Yet, for those drawn to the exclusivity and prestige of areas like Sandbanks, the premium is a price many are willing to pay for a slice of coastal paradise.

Families of the 29 victims killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash are escalating their decades-long fight for answers, preparing to deliver a petition with more than 47,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding a public inquiry. The Chinook Justice Campaign has published 110 "critical questions" they want answered about the tragedy that claimed the lives of 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members when the aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994.

The campaign comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into the incident, prompting families to declare they will "see the UK government in court." Among those delivering the petition on Tuesday are brothers Andy and Matt Tobias from Watford, whose father John Tobias was killed in the crash. The petition delivery will be accompanied by an attempt to deliver a letter directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Central to the families' concerns are questions about mission authorization, aircraft selection, and whether those on board were properly warned of risks. The campaign has gained momentum amid revelations that key documents related to the crash have been sealed until 2094—a century after the incident occurred. David Hill, technical expert for the Chinook Justice Campaign, characterized the government's position as "a betrayal by the state of them and their loved ones."

The crash investigation has followed a contentious path over the past three decades. Initial findings blamed pilot error for the tragedy, but this conclusion was overturned in 2011. The continuing secrecy surrounding the incident has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue it "undermines trust not only in the MoD but in the government itself." As families prepare to confront the government directly, the case represents one of Britain's longest-running military accountability battles.