Scarborough North Bay Beach Wins Blue Flag Award......

Full Scarborough Evening News Report:

The award, from Keep Britain Tidy, is given to beaches which have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

The beach is annually judged in a number of areas and must fulfill 29 criteria, while the bathing water must meet the stringent European Water Quality standards.

The number of Blue Flags presented nationally has fallen this year due to the impact of heavy rain and flooding which can wash pollutants into the sea.

But Scarborough's North Bay beach, which also received the award last year, managed to hold on to the title.

North Bay councillor Bonnie Purchon was delighted to hear the news. She said: "It's absolutely marvellous and I hope we will get it for many years to come.

"It gives people confidence that they can put their children on the beach to play in safety. It's got to be good for the town and the borough."

Cllr Guy Smith, who also represents the ward and operates a team of donkeys in South Bay, said: "It's wonderful news. Sometimes when people visit Scarborough they only go to the South Bay, and don't even realise another beach exists, so it's great to have this recognition. People really enjoy spending time in the North Bay – they can relax in a chalet and keep an eye on the kids on the beach."

Brian Bennett, Scarborough Council's head of tourism and culture, said: "The Beach Management Centre and the high standard of beach cleaning both at North and South Bay underlines that Scarborough is a high quality resort which values its many visitors and residents.."

Scarborough's South Bay beach is also an award winner – it is one of 113 nationwide to be given a Quality Coast Award by Keep Britain Tidy.

Whitby West Cliff beach was also awarded the European Blue Flag. Quality Coast Awards have been awarded to Filey and Scarborough South Bay beaches in the Resort Category and to Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Robin Hood's Bay and Cayton Bay in the Rural Beach Category.

Cheers

Web Team

Categories: latest-news | 2009