Six beaches across the North East have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag status, highlighting them among the best in the UK.

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has today announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for 2023.

To get the gong a beach is rated on its water quality, environmental management including litter and waste, environmental information available to visitors and the safety and services in place such as first aid and lifeguards where necessary.

For 2024 seven beaches in our region – Tynemouth Longsands, Tynemouth King Edwards Bay, Whitley Bay South, Roker, Seaburn, and Whitby - have been given the award.

The Northern Echo: Seaburn Beach.Seaburn Beach. (Image: CHRIS RIDDELL/GOOGLE MAPS)

The figures are down on last year when seven beeches scooped the title.

Scarborough North Bay has lost its status as a Blue Flag beach since last year but still claims a lesser Seaside Award.

In 2023, Saltburn and Sandhaven in South Shields both lost their blue flag status.

The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised award with 72 beaches, one marina and an inland bathing spot in the East Midlands being awarded the title this year.

More beaches have also been handed the Seaside Award which bosses say celebrate the “quality and diversity of England’s coastline”.

The Northern Echo: Whitby.Whitby. (Image: Getty)

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “It’s wonderful to see the flags flying proudly over these 150 fantastic beaches that are a real asset to both residents and from visitors across the country.

“Blue Flag locations are free for all to enjoy, with visitors able to experience the same quality as destinations like Spain or Trinidad and Tobago without the environmental impact - or price tag - of flying.

“Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.

“The awards are a credit to the collective efforts of beach and site managers, volunteers, residents and businesses who have worked tirelessly to maintain, protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular blue spaces and we’d like to take this moment to recognise and applaud them.”

See which North East beaches won the Blue Flag here:

  • Tynemouth Longsands - North Tyneside
  • Tynemouth King Edwards Bay - North Tyneside
  • Whitley Bay South - North Tyneside
  • Roker – Sunderland
  • Seaburn – Sunderland
  • Whitby - North Yorkshire

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And see which beaches also won the Seaside Award here:

  • Tynemouth Longsands - North Tyneside
  • Tynemouth King Edwards Bay - North Tyneside
  • Whitley Bay South - North Tyneside
  • Seaton Carew Central – Hartlepool
  • Saltburn - Redcar and Cleveland
  • Redcar Lifeboat Road - Redcar and Cleveland
  • Roker – Sunderland
  • Seaburn – Sunderland
  • Filey - North Yorkshire
  • Runswick Bay - North Yorkshire
  • Cayton Bay - North Yorkshire
  • Scarborough North Bay – North Yorkshire
  • Whitby – North Yorkshire