The South West truly has some of the best and cleanest beaches in the world after being awarded coveted Blue Flag Awards.
The prestigious flags are distributed annually to beaches that meet certain criteria. This includes high quality water, services, and a high standard of safety and environmental management.
In Somerset, Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow Beach were amongst the 79 English beaches to be granted the award this year. This means they have been recognised as a well-maintained and safe collection of shores.
Carbis Bay joins five existing winning beaches in the county of Cornwall: Porthmeor, Porthminster, Polzeath, Porthtowan and Gyllyngvase. The county has been recognised as having some of the cleanest and litter-free shores in the country.
Sandy Bay was included amongst an impressive 12 awards for Devon. However, previous winners: Croyde Bay and Woolacombe Sands in North Devon; Preston Sands at Paignton and Bigbury-on-Sea lost their flags.
Torbay received five blue flags and ten Quality Coast Awards, more than any other local authority in England. The Quality Coast Award also recognises beaches in England that have achieved the highest standard of management.
Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, which is responsible for the Blue Flag scheme in England and the Quality Coast Awards, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that England has more Blue Flag’s this year and with a total of 142 beaches around England receiving Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards, what better way to holiday in this country than to visit one of the award-winning beaches.”