With beaches with water quality classed as ‘poor’ soon to have signs advising visitors not to swim, tests are being carried out in advance of tough new standards.

Testing by Environment Agency staff is underway at Cornwall's beaches in preparation for the "twice as strict" standards, due to come into force in 2015.

Last year’s results show that 93 per cent of England’s bathing waters met the current European water quality standards. But Environment Agency analysis suggests that ten per cent (around 55) of England’s beaches could be at risk of failing new tandards that come into force in 2015.

Environment Agency water quality sampling teams will be out taking samples at bathing sites between now and September.

Beaches classed as ‘poor’, will be required to display a sign advising visitors not to swim there.

Environment Agency head of bathing waters, Christine Tuckett, said: "The good news is that the vast majority of our beaches pass the current standards and they have seen a huge improvement over the past 20 years. But more needs to be done. Local authorities, water companies, farmers and businesses all have important parts to play in protecting and improving bathing water quality.

"A range of simple measures - from banning dogs from some beaches to making sure that household drains are connected properly - can all add up to a significant improvement in water quality, and help to safeguard the economic benefit that a clean, safe bathing water can bring."

Throughout the summer, Environment Agency water quality sampling teams will be making the results of water quality tests available online to help people make more informed decisions about where to bathe.