The North East beaches where it's safe and unsafe to swim

Fish and chips, ice cream and amusements typically define a Great British seaside trip, while many opt for a paddle in the sea.

However, is the water in the North East's beaches considered safe to swim in?

We've assessed the water quality ratings from the past three years for the county's beaches to find out where it is safe to swim – and where you should be looking to swerve.

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While the vast majority of places in the North East and North Yorkshire are safe to swim, Scarborough South Side and Cullercoats are two that you don't want to be swimming in.

We have rounded up the safe spots and those that are best avoided:

Safe:

• Saltburn
• Marske Sands
• Redcar 
• Seaton Carew North Gare
• Seaton Carew North
• Crimdon
• Seaham 
• Seaham Hall
• Roker
• Seaburn
• Marsden
• South Shileds
• Tynemouth King Edwards
• Tynemouth Long Sands
• Whitley Bay
• Runswick
• Sandsend
• Robin Hoods bay
• Whitby
• Scarborough North

Unsafe:

• Scarborough South
• Cullercoats

How is the data worked out?

Water quality at designated bathing water sites in England is assessed by the Environment Agency. From May to September, weekly assessments measure current water quality, and at a number of sites daily pollution risk forecasts are issued. Annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor based on measurements taken over a period of up to four years.