The last time we went to Southport we were nearly killed on the way back, my dad wrote his car of an accident as he didn't see a red light, the police actually supported my dad and said given the circumstances there was no way he could have seen the light as the sun was shining on it and it was a strange area.
However because of this we my dad has a marred opinion of Southport. It is a nice town though, I prefer it to Blackpool anyday its so much less rough/more relaxing.