Blue Flags awarded to Brighton and Hove beaches

The awards signify that the beaches are clean, safe, with great facilities and water quality.

Blue Flags were granted to Brighton beach and Hove Lawns, with a Seaside Award for Saltdean beach.

They were among the 71 beaches to be handed blue flags in the country, with 137 being given the Seaside Award.

Charity Keep Britain Tidy revealed the awards today (May 15).

Nick Hibberd, the council’s executive director for economy, environment and culture, said: “We’re delighted that our beaches have been endorsed as among the UK’s best. The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of our beach cleaning teams and volunteer groups, our dedicated Seafront Office and Beach Lifeguard Team and our partners at Southern Water who are always looking at methods and measures to improve the water quality along our coastline.”

Allison Ogden-Newton , Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, said: “Visiting beaches with the Blue Flag or Seaside Award status means beach-goers can feel more relaxed in a setting that is environmentally considerate. Which is why we’re so pleased to announce 47 award winners in the South East.

“We as individuals feel emotionally connected to the environment more than ever, with so many experiencing eco-anxiety. Keep Britain Tidy continues to push for more environmentally responsible beaches, where visitors needn’t feel this stress.

“We’re incredibly pleased to have even more winners this year than last, proving the great dedication of the beach staff. From environmental education for the local community and ensuring responsible beach use, to cleaning regimes and an increasing number of recycling facilities, it is a full-time commitment to create beaches worthy of the awards.

“Thanks to the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, visitors can be reassured their destination is cared for and they will be able to help maintain the high standards of these awards thanks to their environmental initiatives.”

This year’s winners will be presented with their flags at a ceremony today at The Quarterdeck in Margate.