THE region's bathers are swimming in the cleanest seas for decades, a Government report has revealed.

From Bamburgh to Scarborough, all but two of the region's beaches met the European Union's tightest bathing water standards.

At Crimdon, in east Durham, rigorous tests on seawater have seen the once-popular resort regain its highest rating after a four-year wait.

At Seaham, where the waters once ran black with sea coal waste, the water has, for the second year in succession, maintained the "top quality" standard.''

In its report, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed there had been a "massive improvement in English bathing waters'' in recent years, particularly along the once heavily polluted coastline in County Durham.

The findings for the region are only marred by two failed series of water tests at Newbiggin North and at Staithes, where the water has failed to reach the required standards for the second year in succession.

But the overall results from tests carried out during the summer, particularly for the Durham coastline, were warmly welcomed yesterday.

Durham's coastal success comes after the completion of the £10m county council-inspired Turning the Tide project, which transformed coal blackened beaches into golden sands.

Announcing the results, Environment Minister Elliot Morley said: "This is good news for those who enjoy going for a swim at the beach and is also a boost to seaside tourism.

"These excellent results show that the £1bn that has been spent in improving sewage treatment over the past ten years has paid off. But there is still work to do.

"This year's improvements in bathing water quality will prepare us for a revised EU bathing water directive - which will result in even higher water quality standards and greater protection of public health.''