blue flag

North Bay, in Scarborough, and Whitby have been awarded a Blue Flag.

Penmaenmawr beach has been awarded a Blue Flag Award, which recognises the highest level of cleanliness and water quality across the world.

An Taisce awarded three more Blue Flags than the 2016 season with Fantastic beaches remain Portumna in Co Galway and Greencastle Marina, Co Donegal, hoisting the international hallmark for the first time.

In North Tyneside, Blue Flags went to Tynemouth Longsands (south), King Edward's Bay and Whitley Bay (south).

Now the number allowed to fly Blue Flags to recognise the highest level of cleanliness and water quality has further boosted that reputation.

BEACHES in Cyprus were awarded a total of 57 Blue Flags, ranking the island on the top of the EU for ten consecutive years, according to Agriculture and Environment minister Nicos Kouyialis, adding that the awards will greatly aid the tourist industry.

Rest Bay - next to the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club - and Trecco Bay were both awarded Blue Flags for the quality of their beaches.

Recognised world-wide as a symbol for coastal excellence, the UAE can now boast of a total of 24 Blue Flags across the emirates.

The Blue Flag is a highly prestigious and well-recognised symbol and serves to highlight coastal excellence internationally so for the UAE to now have an additional 12 Blue Flags awarded is a real achievement for the country.

Most of the UAE's blue flags are found in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with one in Fujairah, and they join an ever expanding network of nearly 4000 of the world's finest, safest and cleanest beaches.

SIX beaches in Wales have lost their blue flags but 43 beaches and five marinas have earned the award.

In 2002, only 45 English beaches achieved Blue Flags.

The coastal resort areas were each awarded 14 Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards (QCAs) for 2010 by anti-litter campaign group Keep Britain Tidy.

As he was being lapped Massa ignored blue flags telling him to move over for faster cars and Davidson, the former driver for Super Aguri looking to break back into F1, said: "He's always the first to stand up in a drivers' meeting and complain about what people like me are doing when we get lapped.

This year 119 beaches nationwide were awarded Blue Flags by Encams.