INTERNATIONAL Blue Flag and Seaside Awards have been bestowed on a number of the region’s beaches by the Keep Britain Tidy charity.

Blue Flag is an international award presented to well managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of the English coastline.

In the North-East six beaches received both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award – Tynemouth Longsands, King Edwards Bay, Whitley Bay, Sandhaven Beach, Roker and Seaburn.

Two received Seaside Awards – Cullercoats and Seaton Carew, which is managed by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Councillor Marjorie James, chair of Hartlepool Council’s neighbourhood services committee, said: “This lovely stretch of golden beach is one of the town’s best assets and it’s free for everyone to enjoy.

“A lot of hard work is done throughout the year by the council’s staff to keep the beach an attractive, clean, safe place for people to enjoy, so we are very proud that it has once again earned this top accolade.”

Referring to the awards for Roker and Seaburn, Tom Parkin, from the Sunderland Seafront Traders Association said: "Blue Flag status and the Seaside Award is fantastic recognition for all the hard work everyone has put in to get the seafront looking the way it is today.

"Regeneration work and plans are continuing to further develop areas along the seafront, which is bringing in tourists from all over the country and massively contributing to the city businesses and the local economy."

In North Yorkshire two beaches, Scarborough North Bay and Whitby received both Blue Flag and Seaside Award status. Six other beaches received Seaside Awards.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Coastal Award Manager Paul Todd said: “It’s great that we’re able to award more beaches this year with Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.

“We work with people and organisations who share our vision that everyone should have access to quality outdoor spaces where they live, work and holiday.

“The fact that 143 beaches will be flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award this summer is testament to the continuing hard work of everyone involved. They know that quality beaches are great for the local communities, visitors and local businesses.

“Visitors can be sure that a Blue Flag or Seaside Award-winning beach is one of the best in the world.”