Seven beaches in Tendring in Essex have been awarded prestigious Seaside Awards - along with three in Suffolk.

Beaches at Brightlingsea, Dovercourt Bay, Harwich, Frinton, Walton-on-the-Naze and the town’s Albion beach, plus Martello Bay in Clacton have all been given Seaside Awards in recognition of their quality.

Beaches at Dovercourt Bay and Brightlingsea retained their Blue Flag status.

Mick Skeels, Tendring District Council’s cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said the award was a reflection of the importance the authority placed on its seafronts.

“We know what a fantastic asset our beaches are right around the district, not only for our residents but in supporting the tourism industry,” he said.

“That is why we invest so much in them – whether it’s providing the Beach Patrol in the holidays, improving our seafronts and promenades, or even creating beautiful new beaches as we did with the sea defence scheme in Holland-on-Sea.

“Being recognised in this way – and it is not easy to keep, let alone gain, Blue Flag and Seaside Award status – is a great advert for our District.

“But we will not sit back now, and TDC will carry on maintaining these beaches for the benefit of everyone.”

Meanwhile, Southwold in Suffolk kept its blue flag while Kessingland and Lowestoft (South of Claremont Pier) received Seaside Awards.

Cllr Michael Ladd, cabinet member for economic development and tourism at Waveney District Council said: “We are delighted that Southwold has retained its Blue Flag Award for yet another year and that Lowestoft and Kessingland beaches are once again in receipt of Seaside Awards. The awards, which are only given to high-quality beaches with excellent safety and cleanliness, will help to attract even more visitors to our beautiful coast.”

Cllr Andy Smith, Suffolk Coastal’s cabinet member for coastal management said: “It is great news for east Suffolk that our beaches continue to be rated so highly.

“The fact that we consistently do so well, gives people the confidence to visit the beaches across east Suffolk safe in the knowledge that the water quality is excellent, so they can swim and enjoy a day by the sea in safety.”