Nottingham, United Kingdom, July 22, 2009--Two women walk along the "shore" at the opening of the Nottingham Riviera. Organizers carted 300 tons of sand into the landlocked city's main square to create the largest ersatz urban beach in the U.K.

The city council had decided the project would be worth the investment, based on the prediction that enough people would be staying put this summer due to financial constraints, the U.K.'s Times Online news service reported.

"I think it is a great idea," Nottingham resident Robin Ingram told the service. "I am not saying it will rival the ... French Riviera, but not everyone can get to the beach at Skegness [in England], so why not bring the beach to the people?"