Relax and enjoy England-on-Sea!

As the recession bites ever deeper at least there's one "r" word that will be putting a smile on English faces over the summer - resorts.

This year is officially one of the best on record for the quality of England's beaches offering a great opportunity to people looking for a low-cost, stress-free way of taking a break in the coming months.

Results released today by Keep Britain Tidy reveal that a total of 184 Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards (72 Blue Flags, 113 QCAs) have been given to beaches in recognition of their high quality environments and facilities.

From Cornwall to Northumberland, the English seaside is in fine fettle and ready to raise spirits amid all the gloom and doom.

"Holidaying in this country is the perfect way of saving money and having a great time," said Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, which runs Blue Flag and QCA in England.

"Whether it's a question of variety, accessibility or value for money, enjoying our wonderful beaches is the ideal way to recharge your batteries.

"So instead of worrying about exchange rates, baggage handlers or forgetting passports, weere urging people in England to make the most of their own magnificent coastline."

Leading this year's roll of honour with a total of 14 are the Isle of Wight (2 Blue Flags, 12 QCAs) and Torbay (5 Blue Flags, 9 QCAs) while Thanet has 11 (7 Blue Flags, 4 QCAs).

Scarborough (2 Blue Flags, 8 QCAs) and Southend-on-Sea (3 Blue Flags, 7 QCAs) both have a total of 10 and are also sure to be popular destinations.

Cornwall Council, recently created by the merger of three local authorities, has the highest number of Blue Flags for any beach manager with 8 while Dorset neighbours Bournemouth and Poole have 4 apiece along with North Norfolk.

Although the number of Blue Flags awarded this year, 72, represents a fall of 10 from 2008, this is still a huge increase from the total of 45 in 2002.

The small drop in Blue Flags is largely due to flooding over the past couple of years - and therees nothing anybody can do about that. For England to still be awarded 72 Blue Flags is quite an achievement.

Aware that the water quality of England's beaches is far greater than just a decade ago, and that most people who visit the coast do not actually go in the sea, Keep Britain Tidy is promoting the QCAs. These are given to the best beaches in the country which are well managed but may not reach Blue Flag standards for water quality.

The latest figures on QCAs show a major success story with a rise from last year of almost 40% to 113 highlighting the overall quality of our coastline.

To view the full list of Blue Flag and Quality Coast Award winners Click HERE

-ENDS-

As Jason Donovan sang all those years ago, here are our “ten good reasons to stay…”

1.Phew - what a scorcher! The Met Office is predicting a long hot summer

2.Holidaying in England will give the economy a much-needed boost

3.England has 71 Blue Flag beaches, the international mark of excellence

4.No more plane-drain - swap stuffy airports and endless delays for a short car or relaxing train journey

5.England has 113 Quality Coast Award beaches - up almost 40% from last year

6.Our ancestors have proudly defended our coastline down the ages - so we owe it to them to enjoy it

7.No need to worry about the poor exchange rate - make your hard-earned money go further

8.You can sit with a knotted-hankie on your head - without people looking at you in a funny way

9.This year is one of the best on record for the quality of England’s beaches

10.No need to learn a foreign language - or how to speak English slowly in a loud voice

Further Information
contact Keep Britain Tidy press office:
01942 612 688, 01942 612 617, 01942 612 692 Mob: 07768 880016 or email the press office