Seven Essex beaches were today (Tuesday) named as winners of the Tidy Britain Group's annual seaside awards.

The scheme promotes high standards including water quality, beach management, safety, cleanliness and provision of information.

Of seven beaches singled out in Essex, four were from the Southend area, and all kept the honour from last year.

The winning beaches were Shoebury East, Shoebury Common, Three Shells in Southend, and Bell Wharf in Leigh.

In north Essex, Clacton West Beach regained the coveted Seaside Award, which was previously taken away because of failing water quality tests, while Brightlingsea and Dovercourt have again been chosen.

Clacton and Dovercourt have received resort status, and Dovercourt has been upgraded from rural status, which indicates all the beaches are well managed and have excellent onshore facilities.

These include providing first aid, supervisors, clean toilets, access and facilities for the disabled.

Dogs are also banned from sections of resort beaches.

Brightlingsea has achieved rural status where a guardian must ensure they are clean and well managed.

Only those beaches which pass the European Union minimum legal standards, following tests by the Environment Agency as well as the very strict Seaside Award management criteria, get the chance to fly the yellow and blue flag.

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