Blue Flag awards given to 12 beaches in South East

Botany Bay in Kent was among South East beaches awarded Blue Flag status

A total of 12 beaches across Kent and Sussex have received coveted Blue Flag status.

The accolade is an international award recognising water quality, safety and cleanliness.

The popular Brighton central beach, which received the status in 2022, missed out this year after a drop in its water quality rating.

Some of the beaches receiving awards had previously been affected by waste pollution.

Brighton central beach missed out on Blue Flag status this year

Keep Britain Tidy, which manages the awards, said the beaches were assessed on safety, water quality and waste.

Water quality is monitored during the bathing season, from May to September, by the Environment Agency.

It releases up-to-date information in swimming spots, where pollution levels may have been affected by weather or sea conditions.

Twelve beaches in the South East were recognised by Keep Britain Tidy for their "excellent" quality with Blue Flags - two fewer than last year.

The international award is only given to "well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes".

A number of beaches received the Seaside Award, presented to beaches to celebrate the quality and diversity of resorts.

These include Worthing, Bognor Regis, Hastings and Sheerness - and Brighton central beach.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove city council said the Environment Agency rated the central beach's water quality as "good" rather than "excellent" this year.

"As only beaches which have 'excellent' bathing water are eligible for the Blue Flag Awards, we were unable to apply," she added.

Southern Water said they were "disappointed" Brighton lost its Blue Flag status.

"There were no releases from Southern Water’s storm overflows which would have an impact on Brighton's bathing waters last year," they added.

Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said they wanted to "recognise and applaud" those working to "protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches".

“Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards," she added.

Full list of Kent and Sussex beaches to receive Blue Flag awards:

• Hove Lawns - Brighton & Hove City Council

• Tankerton - Canterbury City Council

• Marina St Leonards - Hastings Borough Council

• Sheerness Beach - Swale Borough Council

• Minster Leas - Swale Borough Council

• Botany Bay - Thanet District Council

• Joss Bay - Thanet District Council

• Minnis Bay - Thanet District Council

• St Mildreds - Thanet District Council

• Margate Main Sands - Thanet District Council

• Stone Bay - Thanet District Council

• West Wittering Beach - West Wittering Estate PLC