The number of ‘blue flags’ awarded to English beaches this year has dropped, due to a decline in water quality.

Blue flags are awarded by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign to beaches that can offer clean water, litter-free beaches, good facilities and high safety standards.

Just 71 beaches have been awarded the title in 2009 compared with 82 the previous year. The fall is blamed on the excessive rain and flooding of 2008 which lead to pollutants being washed straight into the sea, effecting water quality.

Keep Britain Tidy did, however, confirm that the number of Quality Coast Awards (QCA’s) had actually increased on last years figures with a total of 113 beaches receiving the award for the best managed beaches, regardless of water content, a rise of 31 from 2008.

Top of the league for good quality beaches is the Isle of Wight with 2 blue flags and 12 QCA’s, followed by Torbay on the coast of Devon, with 5 blue flags and 9 QCA’s, with Thanet in Kent claiming 7 blue flags and 4 QCA’s.

Cornwall Council can boast 8 blue flags, the most for any beach-managing authority.

Keep Britain Tidy are still positive about the results, promoting the fact there is a drastic increase on QCA’s and reminding holidaymakers that in 2002, only 45 beaches were awarded blue flags.

Chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, Phil Barton said “Holidaying in this country is the perfect way of saving money and having a great time. So instead of worrying about exchange rates, baggage handlers or forgetting passports, we’re urging people in England to make the most of their own magnificent coastline.”

This statement comes just as the Met Office predicts that the UK is in for a warm, dry summer with temperatures tipping 30°C.