England's cleanest beaches revealed as 2018 Blue Flag award winners are announced
Dorset dominates with eight beaches under their jurisdiction scooping the prestigious Blue Flag award
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Your support makes all the difference.England’s cleanest beaches have been revealed, with 65 awarded Blue Flag status today. A further 125 received a Seaside Award.
Dorset leads the way, with eight beaches scooping the prestigious Blue Flag award.
Overall, the south west region, incorporating Devon and Cornwall, had the most Blue Flag winners, with 26 awards dished out.
The Blue Flag is an international award and quality mark bestowed upon beaches. Blue Flag beaches are recognised for their cleanliness, safety and for meeting the highest environmental standards, as well as the toughest international water quality standards.
Blue Flag recipients are also required to host a minimum of five educational activities for the local community and visitors to increase awareness of the importance of caring for the natural environment.
Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
“Our success in being awarded so many Blue Flag and Seaside Awards confirm what we who live here already know – that Cornish beaches are among the best in the world,” said Cornwall council cabinet member, Sue James.
Councillor Pat Oakley, responsible for tourism in Bournemouth, said: “Having been named the UK’s Best Seaside Town in the British Travel Awards 2017, we’re proud to have made this achievement in conjunction with our neighbours in Poole. This truly is the coast with the most!”
“This is fantastic news for residents and visitors alike,” said Councillor John Challinor, who holds responsibility for Tourism in Poole. “Whether you use the beach for work, rest or play, these awards demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of cleanliness and safety right across our 10-mile stretch of coastline.”
Keep Britain Tidy is the charity behind the scheme. Its chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said: “Blue Flag leads the fight-back for the Blue Planet. Our research shows that nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of parents would prefer to visit beaches with Blue Flag or Seaside Award status, so growing the number of beaches with an award is vital to encourage more families to visit our beautiful coastline.
“Blue Flag and Seaside Awards set the standard for our beaches, including the war against the litter and plastic that does so much damage to our marine environment.”
The Blue Flag scheme began in 1987, when just 12 beaches were deemed worthy of the accolade. This number has now risen to 65, a drop of three from last year.
These are the Blue Flag 2018 winners:
East Midlands
Ingoldmells South
Central Beach, Mablethorpe
Central Beach, Skegness
Central Beach, Sutton on Sea
East of England
Cromer
Sea Palling
Sheringham
Mundesley
East Runton
West Runton
East Beach Shoeburyness
Shoebury Common
Thorpe Bay
Dovercourt Bay
Brightlingsea
Southwold Pier
North East
Tynemouth Longsands
King Edwards Bay
Whitley Bay
Sandhaven Bay
Roker
Seaburn
North West
Blackpool South
Yorkshire
Whitby
South East
Brighton Central
Hove Lawns
Tankerton
Marina St Leonards
Hayling Island Beachlands
Sheerness Beach
Minster Leas
Leysdown Beach
Minnis Bay
West Bay
St Mildreds
Botany Bay
Margate Main Sands
Stone Bay
West Wittering Bay
South West
Blackpool Sands
Poole, Sandbanks Peninsular
Poole, Shore Road
Poole, Canford Cliffs
Poole, Branksome Chine
Alum Chine
Durley Chine
Fisherman’s Walk
Southbourne
Carbis Bay
Gyllyngvase
Porthmeor
Great Western
Polzeath
Porthtowan
Trevone Bay
Widemouth Bay
Sandy Bay
Challaborough Bay
Swanage Central
Dawlish Warren
Breakwater Beach
Meadfoot Beach
Oddicombe Beach
Westward Ho!
Weymouth Central
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