Drop in Blue Flag beach numbers

Cornwall's beaches were awarded eight Blue Flags

The number of English beaches awarded Blue Flags has fallen by 11 in 2009 because of flooding over the past two years.

But Keep Britain Tidy said the 71 beaches getting the award was a huge increase since 2002 when only 45 made the grade.

Cornwall Council came top with eight Blue Flags.

Blue Flags are awarded for clean water, litter-free shores, good facilities and high standards of safety.

This year's fall is largely attributed to the impacts of heavy rain and flooding in the previous two years, which washes pollutants into the sea and affects water quality.

SEE FULL LIST OF BEACHES Blue Flag beaches in England [10.68KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the Blue Flag scheme in England, said the number of Quality Coast Awards (QCAs) given to the best managed beaches had increased on last year, up to 113 beaches were given the QCA award, a rise of 31 on the 2008 figures.

QCAs are those beaches which may not reach Blue Flag standards for water quality.

Instead of worrying about exchange rates, baggage handlers or forgetting passports, we're urging people in England to make the most of their own magnificent coastline Phil Barton, Keep Britain Tidy

Cornwall Council had eight Blue Flags, the highest number for any beach managing authority.

Other areas at the top of the league for quality beaches were Thanet, which has seven Blue Flags and four QCAs, Torbay, with five Blue Flags and nine QCAs, and the Isle of Wight, with two Blue Flags and 12 QCAs.

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Phil Barton, the chief executive of Keep Britain tidy, said: "Holidaying in this country is the perfect way of saving money and having a great time.

TOP BLUE FLAG BEACHES 1 Cornwall Council (eight flags) 2 Thanet District Council (seven) 3 Torbay Council (five) 4 Borough of Poole; Bournemouth Borough Council; North Norfolk District Council (all four)

"Whether it's a question of variety, accessibility or value for money, enjoying our wonderful beaches is the ideal way to recharge your batteries.

"So instead of worrying about exchange rates, baggage handlers or forgetting passports, we're urging people in England to make the most of their own magnificent coastline."

Keep Britain Tidy said it was promoting QCAs because the water quality of England's beaches was greater than 10 years ago.

And most of those who visited the coast did not actually enter the sea, it added.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Department said: "These results show that coastal England is still a great place for swimming.

"The fall in the number of Blue Flag beaches is largely attributed to last summer's poor weather as heavy rain and flooding can seriously affect water quality by increasing the amount of diffuse pollution in our streams and rivers."