Blue flag beaches in Cornwall announced

Gyllyngvase Beach will again be presented with the award recognising the quality of the beach, the way it is managed and the facilities it offers to visitors. In total, 56 beaches across the South West were given the flag.

Gylly Beach

Other beaches given the award in Cornwall are:

• Carbis Bay, despite the recent planning row.

• Crooklets

• Porthminster

• Porthmeor

• Polzeath

• Porthtowan

• Trevone Bay

• Widemouth Bay

The Blue Flag is an international award. This year, 36 beaches across the region have met the high standard required, including two - Sandbanks in Poole and Oddicombe in Torbay - which have received one every year since the scheme was launched 35 years ago.

Gylly Beach got another blue flag this year

And 54 beaches in the region were awarded the Seaside Award, including 34 of the Blue Flag holders. In Cornwall they are:

• Carbis Bay

• Crackington Haven

• Gyllyngvase

• Great Western

• Perranporth

• Polzeath

• Porth

• Porthtowan

• Porthmeor

• Porthminster

• Portreath

• Sennen Cove

• Trevone Bay

• Widemouth Bay

• Crooklets

• Summerleaze

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “The success of these beaches in reaching the very high standards demanded is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our blue spaces – from beach managers and volunteers to local residents and businesses. The huge commitment needed to maintain marvellous beaches worthy of these awards cannot be underestimated.

“People who visit 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.”

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.

Blue Flag is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. It is only presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.

Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:

Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary

Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems

Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the 'sufficient’ standard.

Environmental management, including litter and waste