Bondi Beach at the O2, not Oz

It is hardly Blackpool, but it is one of the few British beach experiences the weather cannot spoil.

London's first indoor beach was unveiled today at the Millennium Dome, now renamed the O2.

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Made from 1,000 tonnes of sand and studded with palm trees, the "paradise island" even has its own illuminated imitation sun and moon - with no chance of sunburn.

By day it will act as a children's playground, with entertainers helping with activities including building sandcastles, dressing up or telling stories. In the evening, the beach will become an afterwork destination, with volleyball and other sports on Monday nights, cult films on Wednesdays and Sundays, DJs playing "desert island discs" on Thursdays and Fridays, and live music on Saturdays.

There will also be a bar for those just wanting to enjoy being on a beach in London.

Movie screenings will include Jaws, Point Break, Top Gun, Casino Royale, Moulin Rouge, The Blue Lagoon and Grease. Spokesman David Campbell said: "The beach will be a top attraction for Londoners this summer, be it kids and their parents during the day or adults looking for a different kind of party in the evening."

Last month a similar attraction was unveiled in the heart of Spitalfields.

Thousands took advantage of the capital's first urban beach in the car park at the Old Truman Brewery.

But some locals, led by artist Tracey Emin, complained that it would disturb residents.