Across the North West 11 beaches have been recognised in the national Seaside Awards. Announced by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the awards acknowledge the quality of the sites, the management of the beaches and the facilities which are available.
Among the beaches in the North West which received the award are family favourites Blackpool Central and Blackpool South. Allonby in Cumbria also scooped the accolade for the first time.
The charity has also given the Royal Albert Dock and Salthouse Dock in Liverpool a Blue Flag Award - the only marina in England to win the accolade so far. Throughout England 128 locations received a Seaside Award.
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Meanwhile 77 beaches were recognised with the prestigious Blue Flag awards. An international award, it’s given to beaches which meet a strict set of criteria.
The full list of recipients of the Seaside Awards in the North West are:
Morecambe North – Lancaster City Council
Morecambe South - Lancaster City Council
St Annes Pier – Fylde Borough Council
Ferry Beach, Fleetwood - Wyre Borough Council (not a designated bathing beach)
Marine Beach, Fleetwood - Wyre Borough Council
Jubilee Beach, Cleveleys - Wyre Borough Council
Rossall Beach - Wyre Borough Council (not a designated bathing beach)
Bispham – Blackpool Council
Allonby - Cumberland Council
Blackpool Central - Blackpool Council
Blackpool South - Blackpool Council
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, in order to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
“We’d therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded.”
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