Life's A Beach As Blue Flags Flutter

As summer weather again brightens-up Northern Ireland today - with blue skies and temperatures as high as 23C - there was good news and not so good news on local beaches.

The Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood has presented awards that recognise the high quality of Northern Ireland beaches and coastal waters.

The Minister presented the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards today at Benone Strand, Limavady that is itself one of the beaches awarded with a Blue Flag - and while handing out accolades - it was also revealed that one, Cranfield beach in Co Down (pictured) has lost its Blue Flag status.

However, seven other beaches in Northern Ireland have been re-awarded the prestigious accolade that recognises, among other things, superior water quality, safety and cleanliness.

The other beaches re-awarded a Blue Flag apart from Benone are the adjacent Downhill and the Portstewart Strand all of which are in Co Londonderry.

Ballyronan Marina in Co Londonderry has also retained its Blue Flag as has Portrush West, Portrush East and Whiterocks which are in Co Antrim and Tyrella beach in Co Down.

They all qualified but one of Co Down's gems, Cranfield - home to a caravan park and popular with day trippers - failed to re-qualify despite Cranfield West beach being cared for by Newry and Mourne District Council.

As well as eight of Northern Ireland's larger beaches receiving Blue Flags, 10 smaller beaches also received Seaside Awards.

Presenting the awards, the SDLP's Alex Attwood, said: "Today's announcement of the Blue Flag and Seaside Award winners is encouraging news for Northern Ireland's beach users and seaside towns.

"Good water quality and the safety of beaches are key to our economy and tourism and we must strive to achieve high quality standards for the enjoyment of Northern Ireland's entire world famous coastline.

"However, not all of our beaches reach the required standard for water quality and this needs to be addressed," he said, adding that he recently announced a 'Good Beach Summit' within the coming weeks to ensure that all the issues relating to water quality problems can be interrogated with all those involved in beach management and beach use.

"The summit will involve people both inside and outside government," the Minister concluded.

The Blue Flag Award is an international eco-label recognised in 41 countries. It is judged against over 30 criteria one of which is water quality.

(BMcC/GK)