Two "hugely popular" Suffolk beaches retaining their prestigious Blue Flag status this year will boost tourism in the area, community leaders have said.
The beaches at Felixstowe South and Pier and Southwold Pier have scooped the awards for 2023, ranking them among the best in the country.
It is the fourth year running that Felixstowe has been granted Blue Flag status, while Southwold has received it for a second year in a row.
As well as Felixstowe and Southwold receiving Blue Flag status, Lowestoft South of Claremont Pier and Kessingland also picked up Seaside Awards.
The Blue Flag is an international award, and this year 78 locations across the UK have met the high standard required.
Blue Flags are only presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.
They are awarded by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Paul Wood, head of economic development and regeneration at East Suffolk Council, said: "East Suffolk’s beaches are hugely popular with residents and visitors, and we are delighted to once again receive these prestigious awards which reflect the quality of our beaches and the cleanliness of our coastline.
"This will provide an extra boost to our important tourism sector as it continues to recover from Covid restrictions.
"Anyone visiting east Suffolk’s beaches this summer can be sure they are visiting one of the best in the country."
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, said: "Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.
"The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, in order to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria."
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