Five Blue Flags for Southend!

Southend can rightly lay claim to having the cleanest bathing waters in the east of England - after FIVE of its beaches were awarded prestigious Blue Flags for the first time ever.

Blue Flag awards are only attained by beaches which meet the highest standards of bathing water quality set by Keep Britain Tidy.

And this year, for the first time in the resort’s illustrious history, Southend is the recipient of five – more than any other seaside location in the eastern region.

The five beaches awarded Blue Flag status were

· East Beach, Shoeburyness

· Shoebury Common Beach

· Chalkwell Beach

· Jubilee Beach and

· Three Shells Beach

All five beaches were also awarded Quality Coast Awards by Keep Britain Tidy, as were Bell Wharf Beach in Leigh-on-Sea and Thorpe Bay Beach, giving Southend a total of seven QCAs.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor John Lamb, said: “Keep Britain Tidy says the east of England’s seaside resorts are some of the best in the world.

“The Blue Flag is the highest bathing water accolade in Europe and only 16 have been awarded across the eastern region.

“For Southend to be awarded five – more than any other resort in the east - is a truly fantastic achievement, because these awards are not just given they have to be earned.

“This is the first time we have applied for five awards and our confidence in the quality of our bathing waters has been well and truly justified.”

Blue Flags and QCAs are Keep Britain Tidy’s stamp of approval for beaches and bathing waters which offer visitors great facilities and a litter free and safe environment.

Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Traditional beach holidays in this country were always centred on our seaside resorts.

“We urge holiday-makers to rekindle their passion for the wonderful coastline and resorts throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Our beaches are wonderful places to visit.

“With 25 beaches in the East of England receiving 16 Blue Flags and 16 Quality Coast Awards, what better way to holiday in the area than to visit one of the local award-winning beaches?

“The continuing high standards of these beaches are testament to the hard work carried out by beach managers throughout the year in order to provide clean and safe beaches for everyone to enjoy.”