An Essex beach is not set to close despite a report in a national newspaper claiming its future was in doubt.

West Beach in Clacton was one of 45 listed in the Sunday Times as in danger of closure in 2016.

The reason given was alleged sewage contamination which fell foul of new EU regulations.

The same fate was set to befall popular beaches in Blackpool and Ilfracombe with the Sunday Times claiming any closures would cause “serious concern in coastal towns such as Scarborough, Clacton and Hastings”.

But Tendring District Council’s communications manager Nigel Brown said closure of West Beach was not on the cards now or in 2016.

Mr Brown said: “We have been aware that DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is raising water quality standards from that year and whereas this beach has been considered fine to swim from – and will be up to 2016 – we are likely to be required to put up an advisory sign due to the new increased standards.

“Tendring has around 30 miles of coastline and this particular beach at Clacton is the only one affected by the change and in fact those about 100 metres in each direction will still meet the new standards.

“We are fully aware of the problem at this beach as are our partners the Environment Agency and Anglia Water. We all agree that having to put up advisory signs is unacceptable and we are working very closely to find a solution.”