Blue Flags are flying high for city beaches
Two Sunderland beaches have each won two coveted awards marking their status among the best in the country.
Roker and Seaburn beaches have both secured international Blue Flag status and achieved the Seaside Award, from leading environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy.
Both the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are the quality marks for beaches and mean that visitors can be sure that they boast topnotch facilities, are clean and safe and meet the highest environmental standards.
The awards also acknowledge that both Roker and Seaburn have met the required European Union standards for water quality.
Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture, Coun John Kelly, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded the prestig“The ious Blue Flag for Roker and Seaburn once again, they help provide a visible reminder to everyone of the cleanliness of our bathing waters and first class facilities along our seafront.”
Roker and Seaburn are listed among 65 beaches in the UK to receive the international Blue Flag award and two of 125 to secure the Seaside Award.
Only 42 beaches achieved both awards, which include Sandhaven Beach in South Shields.
Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, Coun Amy Wilson added: awards are national recognition of our bathing beaches as being among the best in the country, and are testament to the hard work of everyone involved in helping them stay that way.
“We’re very lucky to have fantastic beaches with beautiful, clean water to swim and bathe in, a magnificent seafront and a pier and promenade for everyone to enjoy. “We hope these flags will encourage even more people to become regular visitors to our seafront to enjoy our world-class beaches, events and attractions.”