CELEBRATIONS are in order, as Berrow Beach has once again been awarded a Seaside Award from Keep Britain Tidy.

The honour recognises the quality and diversity of England’s coastline and this summer, 68 beaches will be flying a Blue Flag Award after meeting the highest standards for cleanliness, facilities and water quality.

Sedgemoor District Council’s Chairman, Councillor Ian Dyer, was presented with the Seaside Award flag on the beach on May 19.

Keep Britain Tidy’s coastal award manager, Paul Todd, said: "It is great that we have been able to award more beaches this year with Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.

"As an environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy is committed to improving the quality of the places where people live, work and holiday and these winners have proved their commitment to providing the best possible beaches for locals and visitors alike.

"Visitors can be sure, if they visit a Blue Flag or Seaside Award-winning beach, they are visiting one of the best beaches in the world.

"The fact that 143 beaches will be flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award this summer is testament to the hard work of beach managers up and down the country.

"They know that great beaches are great for the communities they serve, great for visitors and, therefore, great for the economy of those resorts."

This year, Cornwall can claim the most awards with a total of 19 honours- 11 Seaside Awards and eight Blue Flags- followed by Torbay with 13 awards.

Thanet won ten awards and Tendring also received ten.

A spokesperson for Sedgemoor District Council said: "Sedgemoor District Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the beach team for their excellent work in continuing to manage the beaches effectively.

"At a time when more and more people are choosing to holiday in the UK, the growth of visitors, alongside residents, enjoying our delightful and dramatic coastline has highlighted not only the demand but the continued importance of presenting and retaining clean, attractive and well-managed beaches.

"Although Seaside Award beaches can often be very different, they are a symbol of quality which guarantees to residents and visitors that the beach is one of the best in the country."