Tens of thousands of Brits will be heading to the Spanish sun this summer, but there is a warning in place that could affect their much-needed breaks. The state of the country's beaches is under the spotlight after 48 were given 'Banderas Negras' ratings.
Translating as 'Black Flag', the sub-standard rating is due to chemical spills, sanitation problems and pollution. Popular destinations for UK tourists to be hit with the "Banderas Negras" status include Alicante, the Canary Islands, and Barcelona.
The Basque Country, Malaga, and Valencia are also affected, reports the Liverpool ECHO. Of the 48 beaches named, 12 were affected by "discharges, deficiencies in sanitation systems and serious purification problems".
Another further six 'Banderas Negras' were caused by "chemical, light and/or acoustic pollution". Spanish environmental campaign group Ecologists in Action has hit out at local authorities for not protecting the coastal locations from "ecological attacks". The full list list of the beaches that are affected can be found here.
Earlier this year, tourists were warned smoking has now been banned on 28 Spanish beaches in a tourist crackdown. There has been a huge increase in "smoke-free zones" as part of a major plan by the Balearic Islands to improve people's health and slash the huge problem of cigarette butts being left on the sand, the Mirror reports.
There are no fines for those who are caught lighting up as the people behind the scheme are hoping to appeal to members of the public's sense of responsibility.
