Nine Torbay beaches get blue flags

Four more get 'seaside awards'

Nine Torbay beaches have been granted blue flags.

Breakwater Beach, Broadsands Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Oddicome Beach, Preston Sands and Torre Abbey Sands have met the standard need to fly the coveted flags.

Maidencombe Beach, Goodrington Beach, Paignton Beach and Ansteys Cove get to fly the Seaside Awards flag.

Torbay Council says the awards are "a testament to the hard work and dedication of Tor Bay Harbour & Beach Authority in partnership with SWISCo in order to ensure Torbay’s beaches are properly maintained and cleaned to the highest standards."

Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive Officer, English Riviera BID Company Ltd, said; “These awards highlight the outstanding quality of the English Riviera as a destination and the exceptional visitor experience, they offer."

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Visitors to 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 is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria."

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.