Farewell, seductive Sidmouth by the sea,
Older and more exclusive than Torquay,
Sidmouth in Devon, you're the town for me!

John Betjeman left us in little doubt as to his favourite seaside town, left, but that was 45 years ago. More recently, Bill Bryson plumped for Llandudno. Now we want to settle the debate.

What is Britain and Ireland's best seaside town or city? To decide, we have assembled a panel of some of the greatest seaside experts this side of Bognor Regis, with the worlds of art, food and end-of-the-pier comedy all represented. We will leave no beach pebble unturned in our efforts to weigh up the qualities that make up our king of coastal settlements.

But first, we need your help. Please, send us your citations for the seaside town or city in Britain and Ireland that you love best. Wax lyrical about its rock pools, surf or quaint coloured beach huts. Tell us (in no more than 300 words) what makes it better than all the rest, come rain or shine. Email us your choice (only one per person, please) by Saturday June 16, and we will put all your proposals to our expert panel (as they stretch out on the beach) for adjudication and, gulp, the official revelation of the Guardian's best seaside town, 2007.

Send us your nomination and you could win a luxury two-night stay (for two) in the rather wonderful St Brides Spa Hotel on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast. With delightful sea views from its infinity pool, what better to place to ponder the changing nature of our seaside holidays?

Email your citations now to seaside@theguardian.com. The winner of the hotel stay will be picked at random from all readers who nominate the winning seaside town.

The prize is a two-night break in in the St Brides Spa Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. Travel to and from hotel excluded. The promotion is open to residents of the UK and the ROI aged 18 and over only. Full terms and conditions are available online at theguardian.com/eventsandoffers.