Blue Flags rise on beach clean up

There has been an increase in the number of beaches to win a Blue Flag for their standards of water quality and accessability.

Improvements in cleanliness of beaches in England and Wales have seen 120 beaches awarded the coveted Blue Flags.

Margate was this year's big winner with a trio of resorts judged fit to fly what is considered to be the world’s top accolade for beaches. Also mentioned was Clacton's Martello Bay which has won a Blue Flag for the first time.

Seaside favourites Bournemouth, Poole and Southend have four awards each and Torquay a fantastic five. Re-entry Ainsdale is the North West of England’s only flag flier while Bridlington North and Skegness are amongst eight beaches to bow out from last year.

The main stumbling block for several beaches was water cleanliness but with the news that record numbers have attained the necessary standard; Blue Flag Chief Executive Alan Woods called on all beach managers to enter the awards and make the most of this golden opportunity to promote their resort: "British people make around 298 million trips to their coast each year and are increasingly attracted to Blue Flag beaches because they offer cleaner sand and seawater and better facilities,” he said. “For any beach to compete in this more discerning age it must offer quality and I would urge all those who haven’t entered the award or have been unable to meet its strict criteria to strive harder – or risk being left behind.”

Commenting on the success of Welsh beaches such as Aberdyfi, Llangrannog and Whitmore Bay at Barry Island – who won awards for the first time – Keep Wales Tidy’s Chief Executive Tegryn Jones said: “Both Welsh Water and local authorities across Wales have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of our coast by investing substantial sums of money. We are now in a position to enjoy the benefits and potential of that ongoing investment. We must however not rest on our laurels as we still have many beaches that have yet to achieve any quality mark.”

Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency VisitBritain says: “It’s easy to forget that the British Isles are surrounded by miles of award-winning coastline. And that, despite competition from rival “sun, sea and sand” destinations, millions of us head to British beaches throughout the year. The sheer variety of our beaches is a major appeal for visitors – whether it’s gorgeous stretches of sand or pebbly shores for fossil-hunting, both are ideal for time-off with the kids or groups of friends. Our Blue Flag Beaches Guide is a great way for destinations to market the unique appeals of their seaside resorts to Britons eager to enjoy quality beach holidays.”

The Blue Flag is organised by the Foundation for Environmental Education and administered in England by ENCAMS and in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy.

Northern Ireland will reveal its Blue Flag results on June 1 and Scotland on June 2.

(SP/KMcA)