UK beaches cleaner than ever

Britain is still lagging behind the European average

Official figures indicate that Britain's bathing water is cleaner than ever.

More than 95% of England's beaches passed the European Commission's main quality tests, compared with 90% last year.

For the whole of the UK the figure was 94%, up from 91% 12 months ago.

Figures released on Monday also show a considerable improvement in the north west of England, with Blackpool's three beaches all passing water quality tests for the first time.

We must now meet the much tougher standards under the Blue Flag guidelines

Michael Meacher

But in the South East, four more beaches than last year failed to meet the minimum standards.

In total 749 were beaches inspected across the UK.

Environment Minister Michael Meacher said: "I am not complacent, these are very good results but we still have a long way to go.

"In order to achieve the cleanest, best quality bathing water in Europe, we must now meet the much tougher standards under the Blue Flag guidelines."

In Europe last year an average of 96% beaches passed the EC's main quality tests.

Seaside revival

But Mr Meacher said sunshine was a significant factor in limiting coliforms (sewage germs) so northern European countries found it harder to keep bathing water clean.

"That's why Sweden - which has good environmental standards - last year had a level of 84% and we were at 91%," he said.

Environment Agency Chief Scientist Dr John Murlis said the agency was pleased to see the steady improvement in bathing water quality.

He added that it was working hard to ensure the positive trend would continue.

Families are being attracted back to the British seaside

"Further improvements in sewage treatment delivered through negotiations with the major water companies will continue to be carried out in the near future," he said.

"It is hoped these projects will secure even higher levels of quality in the years to come."

Figures released by the British Resorts Association earlier this year revealed that more and more Britons are choosing to holiday close to home.

It said 30 million people a year are now heading for the British seaside for four nights or more - the same as in 1965.

Some 110 million day-trippers also make for the coast each year.

It believes the increasing number of cleaner beaches can only help the revive the fortunes of coastal towns.