Blue Flag beaches are on the rise as England’s coastline becomes cleaner and safer
There are currently 71 Blue Flag beaches across the country
THE best Blue Flag beaches in Britain for 2019 have been revealed by Keep Britain Tidy.
Seventy one beaches around England have received awards this year for being clean, safe and meeting high environmental standards.
Blue Flag winners are beaches that have been deemed the cleanest and safest for the public.
They also have to run a minimum of five educational activities for the local community and visitors to make people aware of the importance of looking after the natural environment.
It was revealed that Brits are concerned about sustainability, with 60 per cent experiencing "eco-anxiety" when visiting beaches due to plastic waste and a lack of bins or recycling facilities.
This year, there are 71 Blue Flags - up by six from last year.
The South West of England has the highest number of Blue Flags, with 32 winners this year including Blackpool Sands, Poole and Broadsands.
It's followed by South East, with 15 winners such as Brighton and Margate.
Elsewhere, East of England has 12 winners, the North East has six winners, the East Midlands has 15 winners.
Yorkshire has just one winner - Whitby beach.
The North West had no winners this year, with Blackpool South losing their award compared to last year.
Keep Britain Tidy also hands out Seaside Awards, which are "presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline".
This year, there were a total of 137 beaches awarded, with the most situated in the South West.
Keep Britain Tidy's chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton 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.
"We're incredibly pleased to have even more winners this year than last, proving the great dedication of the beach staff."
The best beaches in Britain
East Midlands
Ingoldmells South
Central Beach, Mablethorpe
Central Beach, Skegness
Central Beach, Sutton on Sea
Cleethorpes Central
East of England
Cromer
Sea Palling
Sheringham
Mundesley
East Runton
West Runton
East Beach Shoeburyness
Shoebury Common
Thorpe Bay
Three Shells Beach
Dovercourt Bay
Brightlingsea
North East of England
Tynemouth Longsands
King Edwards Bay
Whitley Bay
Roker
Seaburn
Saltburn by the Sea
Yorkshire & Humber
Whitby
South East
Brighton Central
Hove Lawns
Tankerton
Marina St Leonards
Hayling Island Beachlands
Sheerness Beach
Minster Leas
Minnis Bay
West Bay
St Mildreds
Botany Bay
Margate Main Sands
Stone Bay
Westbrook Bay
West Wittering Beach
South West
Blackpool Sands
Poole, Sandbanks Peninsular
Poole, Shore Road
Poole, Canford Cliffs
Poole, Branksome Chine
Alum Chne
Bournemouth Manor Steps
Durley Chine
Fisherman's Walk
Southbourne
Carbis Bay
Gyllyngvase
Porthmeor
Great Western
Porthtowan
Trevone Bay
Widemouth Bay
Sandy Bay
Exmouth
Challaborough Bay
Croyde Bay
Swanage Central
Dawlish Warren
Teignmouth Town
Breakwater Beach
Broadsands
Meadfoot Beach
Oddicombe Beach
Preston Sands
Torre Abbey Sands
Westward Ho!
Weymouth Central
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In 2018, there were 65 Blue Flag beaches, with the South West coming out on top once again.
However, six beaches lost their Blue Flag status - Wallasey, Scarborough, Withensea, Hornsea, Joss Bay and Porthminister.
Only Hornsea and Joss Bay managed to regain their title this year.