THREE East Cleveland beaches have made it into a new guide to clean beaches in Britain.

Saltburn, Marske Sands and Coatham are included The Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide 2003.

The publication mentions 421 beaches across the UK, 18 of which are in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The society will only recommend beaches for the guide if they meet the highest European water quality standard and are not affected by inadequately treated sewage.

Beaches were monitored between May and September last year.

Juliette Camburn from the Good Beach Guide said: "The Marine Conservation Society is very pleased with the further improvement in bathing water quality this year and the wide geographical range of beaches recommended in the MCS Good Beach Guide.

"The MCS Good Beach Guide allows the public to make an informed choice about where and whether to bathe."

The other recommended beaches are Whitby, Reighton, Cayton Bay, Scarborough North Bay, Sandsend and Runswick Bay in North Yorkshire.

North Gore and North beaches in Seaton Carew also feature as do Seaham Hall Beach and South Shields.

Cullercoats, Long Sands North and South and King Edwards Bay, all in North Tyneside, also make it into the guide.

* LIFEGUARDS patrolling the beaches of east Cleveland are to be sponsored by McDonalds for the second year running ahead of the new season.

Foreshore manager Paul Castle has just taken delivery of a fully-equipped first aid kit, two new torpedo buoys and 22 T-shirts, courtesy of funding from McDonalds Redcar.

The team of six lifeguards and their supervisor is ready to start patrols on Saturday, May 24, and will continue daily vigils throughout the Whitsuntide holiday week.

Weekend patrols will be maintained until Sunday, July 20, then daily watches will begin for the entire six week school holiday until Sunday, August 30.

Mr Castle said: "This is the second year we've been sponsored by McDonalds and it goes without saying that we're very grateful."