COUNCILLORS in Dawlish have been putting the flags out.

Newly elected Mayor Cllr Anthony James and his deputy Cllr Lynda Littlewood made one of their first joint duties raising the three beach awards.

Dawlish Warren beach retained its Blue Flag accolade for the 26th successive year, one of 35 beaches in the south west to achieve the award.

Coryton Cove and Dawlish town beach both retained the Seaside Award status.

Seaside Award at Coryton Cove with Mayor Cllr Anthony James, Deputy Mayor Cllr Lynda Littlewood, Cllr John Nutley from Teignbridge Council, Sarah Holgate, resort manager, and resort attendant David Prior. Photo Bob Simpson
Seaside Award at Coryton Cove with Mayor Cllr Anthony James, Deputy Mayor Cllr Lynda Littlewood, Cllr John Nutley from Teignbridge Council, Sarah Holgate, resort manager, and resort attendant David Prior. Photo Bob Simpson (MDA )

Dawlish councillors were joined by Cllr John Nutley, Teignbridge Council’s Executive Member for Leisure and Recreation.

He said: ‘Having the Blue Flag award for Dawlish Warren and the Seaside Awards for Dawlish Town beach, Coryton Cove and Ness Cove does not only encourage our local residents and the wider communities to come and enjoy a day on the beach, it also encourages our visitors thinking of having their holidays at our resorts knowing we have these awards and that we pride ourselves in the standards we keep so they can come and enjoy their holidays in a clean and safe environment.’

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy runs the awards scheme with the Blue Flag the world’s most recognised award for beaches, marinas and inland bathing waters and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.

Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the ‘sufficient’ standard.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said ‘Achieving this accreditation shows the commitment of beach managers and local authorities to protect them for years to come.

‘It’s wonderful to see the flags flying proudly over 47 of them in the South West, demonstrating their quality to residents and visitors alike.

‘The awards are a credit to the collective efforts of beach and site managers, volunteers, residents and businesse.’

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and blue spaces and promoting the country’s best beaches.