Beaches bathe in Blue Flag glory

Six of Northern Ireland's beaches - including for the first time Murlough in County Down - have been awarded prestigious Blue Flag awards.

The beaches had to satisfy 29 criteria, including litter-free sands, quality bathing water, safety and cleanliness.

The others to achieve the Blue Flag status were Benone, Portrush's White Rocks, Portstewart Strand, Tyrella and Cranfield West.

The West Strand in Portrush and Downhill lost the status.

They suffered from deterioration in water quality brought about by heavy rainfall last summer.

Fifteen other beaches along the Northern Ireland coast were given the Green Coast or Seaside award by Tidy Northern Ireland.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said: "Northern Ireland continues to welcome more and more visitors with recent statistics showing a 26% increase in holiday visitors from the Republic of Ireland.

"Our stunning coastline ensures that such visitors have a memorable experience and we welcome the news that six of our beaches have been rewarded with Blue Flag status."