Six will be flying Blue Flags – the worldwide standard for the best beaches in the world.
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The award for the stretch of beach at Blackpool South is considered to be the global gold standard for coastal destinations.
Sandhaven beach in South Shields has been awarded the Blue Flag status and the Seaside award, which are given to beaches that meet the highest standards of cleanliness and safety and which provide visitors with high quality facilities.
The beaches are Minnis Bay; West Bay; St Mildreds Bay; Ramsgate Main Sands; Botany Bay; Joss Bay and Stone Bay.
Alongside Dawlish Warren’s achievement, Keep Britain Tidy’s high-profile Seaside Awards have also been awarded to Teignmouth Town Beach, Coryton Cove at Dawlish and Ness Cove, Shaldon.
In addition, Chalkwell, Jubilee, Bell Wharf and Three Shells will join another 107 that have been presented with the Seaside Award by Keep Britain Tidy. This shows consistent high quality bathing standards and is a credit to the local tourism industry.
Melanie Rush, from Weymouth’s Beach Donkeys, said the beach deserved both awards.
Together with Seaside Awards, the Blue Flag scheme is administered by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and beaches must fulfil strict requirements, including tough bathing water quality, enforcement of dog byelaws, regular cleaning and a lifeguard service, to achieve the accolades. In 2015 we saw a growth of 7% of visitors to the Welsh coastline and as a mark of quality the Wales Coast Awards are pivotal to the continuing growth of coastal tourism, whilst also ensuring the beaches and marinas are managed effectively to accommodate the increase in visitors.
This summer, seven Cornwall Council beaches will be flying Blue Flags with Cornwall receiving the largest number of Blue Flag and Seaside Awards in the country.
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Councillor Alan Kerr, deputy leader of the council with responsibility for leisure and culture, said: “Our beaches are a key reason why so many visitors return to the Borough every year”.
