Beaches across the region are the most improved in Britain over the last year, according to a major study published today.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which investigated 795 bathing spots nationwide to produce this year's Good Beach Guide, hailed the North-East's dramatic improvement as "fantastic news."

Only a year ago, ten of the region's beaches failed to meet European water quality standards, but the society has now recommended several sites to potential visitors.

Beaches at Scarborough's North Bay, Whitby, Saltburn, Redcar, Marske Sands, Seaton Carew and Seaham Hall, in Durham, are among those praised in the report.

A spokesman for the Good Beach Guide said: "This is fantastic news for the North-East, which has the largest improvement of any region this year, with a massive increase of 27 new beaches in the guide.

"With none failing the EC water quality standard, compared to ten in 2001, sewage improvements by Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water are paying off."

The guide revealed that more than a third of all bathing spots in the UK have met the recommended standard for clean water required by the Marine Conservation Society.

Of all the beaches monitored by the MCS between May and September 2001, 341 have met their standards and were recommended in the Good Beach Guide.

Kate Hutchinson, coastal pollution officer for the MCS, said: "The MCS is really pleased with the improvement in bathing water quality this year and the wide geographical range of beaches in the MCS Good Beach Guide.

"Particularly encouraging is the decrease in beaches that failed the EC minimum standard for water quality.

"However, there are still areas affected by bacterial pollution from both sewage and diffuse sources and the MCS Good Beach Guide allows the public to make an informed choice about where and whether to bathe."