Torbay is celebrating after receiving prestigious awards for ten of its beaches.

Keep Britain Tidy has awarded Anstey's Cove, Goodrington Beach, Maidencombe Beach, Paignton Beach, Preston Sands, Meadfoot and Torre Abbey Sands the national Seaside Award for bathing and resort.

Meanwhile, Breakwater Beach, Broadsands and Oddicombe Beach have all been given a combined Seaside (resort) and globally recognised Blue Flag Award, which are administered by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-governmental organisation.

Oddicombe Beach has now held a Blue Flag Award for 33 years, since the inception of the awards in 1987.

Seaside Awards which are England wide recognise and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet the required standards for water quality.

Blue Flag Awards recognise a number of criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said: “Torbay is renowned as the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and its beaches are some of the best in the world so we are of course delighted to win these latest awards.

“In these uncertain times, it is good to have some certainty and anyone visiting Torbay this summer can be sure that they are visiting one of the country’s – and the world’s – best beaches, and with current travel restrictions people who hadn’t previously thought of visiting Torbay should take the chance to come and see what we have to offer here.”

Carolyn Custerson Chief Executive, English Riviera BID, said: “Visitors from around the world really love our natural and varied beaches and the many different activities associated with them.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Deputy Chief Executive Richard McIlwain said:  “The success in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers and volunteers to local people and businesses.

“When you enjoy a trip to a beach flying an international Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country.

“This year, with the pressure on local services created by COVID-19, we would urge anyone visiting this fantastic beach to help out by taking their rubbish home with them and leaving the beach as they found it.”

Please remember if you are visiting Torbay’s beaches to observe the two metre social distancing rule around anyone who is outside of your social bubble and if the beach you were planning to visit is busy try and visit one of our many other outdoor spaces.