TWENTY-ONE beaches across the North-East and North Yorkshire have been reccomended in this year's Good Beach Guide.

The guide, out today and compiled by the Marine Conservation Society, is said to be the only independent guide to bathing water quality in Britain and takes into account stringent European standards.

Two beaches in the region were said to have failed to meet mandatory standards -Grangetown, near Middlesbrough and Staithes, North Yorkshire.

A Northumbrian Water spokesman said: "We have made huge investment over the last decade and now have many beautiful beaches and good quality water to enjoy, but we are not complacent."

The recommended beaches were: Saltburn, in east Cleveland; Redcar Coatham; Hartlepool; Whitburn South, South Shields, Seaburn and Marsden, in South Tyneside; King Edwards Bay, Long Sands North and South and Whitley Bay, all in North Tyneside; Scarborough North Bay, Sandsend and Whitby, all in North Yorkshire; and Seaton Sluice, Newbiggin, Amble Links, Warkworth, Low Newton, Beadnell and Seahouses North, all in Northumberland.