TOURIST bosses across East Anglia are celebrating after 13 of the region's beaches were awarded coveted Blue Flag awards.The annual awards go to beach resorts which offer exceptionally clean water and facilities and are seen as Europe's highest coastal accolade.

TOURIST bosses across East Anglia are celebrating after 13 of the region's beaches were awarded coveted Blue Flag awards.

The annual awards go to beach resorts which offer exceptionally clean water and facilities and are seen as Europe's highest coastal accolade.

Lowestoft's North Pier beach has been included in the list of top UK beaches

this year after missing out last year.

The award marks a double achievement for the town, which has also retained its Blue Flag for the South of the Pier beach. Both beaches have been reclassified from Grade B to grade A status.

Felixstowe and Southwold have received the official flag of approval, and Dovercourt Bay in Essex also passed the beach quality test.

David Gallagher, leisure manager at Waveney District Council which is responsible for Lowestoft and Southwold beaches, said: "It's a great achievement and we are hoping it will boost the resort's potential to attract much needed tourism and spending to the area and local economy.

"It really helps keep Waveney as a high profile destination and provides a massive boost for regeneration to the local economy.

The Blue Flag awards are run by ENCAMS, organisers of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, and involve assessment of more than 20 different criteria including dog control, first aid facilities and toilet provision.

Winners of the award are allowed to fly the flag during the bathing season and must display their winning criteria on easy to read signs on the beach.

They are also monitored regularly and if standards slip, the flag can be taken down.

Cllr John Perry, cabinet member for economic development and tourism at Suffolk Coastal District Council, said: "It is excellent news for Felixstowe that the South beach has again won this much sought after official stamp of approval and in doing so earned the top standard in terms of bathing water quality and for the first time obtained an A grading for the way that it is managed."

Other resorts to benefit are Cromer, Gorlestone in Great Yarmouth, Mundesley, Sea Palling, Sheringham in Norfolk and Shoebury Common, Three Shells and Shoeburyness East in Southend.

This year, a total of 105 resort beaches in the UK have been permitted to fly the Blue Flag, breaking last year's record of 83.

The Blue Flag has become the most prestigious international beach award, with 78% of British people recognising it since it was launched in 1987.

Beaches in the East of England

Cromer North Norfolk District Council

Dovercourt Bay Essex Tendring District Council

Felixstowe, South Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal District Council

Great Yarmouth, Gorlestone Norfolk, Great Yarmouth Borough Council

Lowestoft, North of the Pier, Suffolk, Waveney District Council

Lowestoft, South of the Pier Suffolk, Waveney District Council

Mundesley, Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council

Sea Palling, Norfolk North Norfolk District Council

Sheringham, Norfolk North Norfolk District Council

Southend, Shoebury Common, Essex, Southend Borough Council

Southend, Shoeburyness East, Essex, Southend Borough Council

Southend, Three Shells, Essex, Southend Borough Council

Southwold Pier, Suffolk, Waveney District Council