HAYLING'S Blue Flag beaches were confirmed as the jewels in the Hampshire crown last month.
Beachlands Hayling Island West and Central were awarded the prestigious "Blue Flag" status for their high-quality environment and facilities for the 18th year running in the annual Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards run by Keep Britain Tidy, announce
d last month.
And when doubt was cast on the quality of a number of other award-winning Solent beaches after the Marine Conservation Society, which tests Britain's bathing water, revealed that five of 14 beaches in Hampshire and West Sussex had got worse in the past year.
Officials hope they will help boost tourism and attract more people to the area.
Havant borough councillor Andrew Lenaghan (Hayling West) said: "With the anticipated growth in home tourism due to the economic crisis, it is a great achievement for us to be awarded this again.
"I hope it will continue to bring people to Hayling Island to enjoy our Blue Flag beach.
"People are more aware of environmental issues and they understandably like to swim in nice, clear, blue water."
Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, which
runs Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards in England, said: "With all the doom and gloom around, holidaying in England is the perfect way of saving money and having a great time.
"Whether it's a question of variety, accessibility or value for money, enjoying wonderful beaches like those in the south-east is the ideal way to recharge your batteries.
"So instead of worrying about exchange rates, baggage handlers or forgetting passports, we're urging people to make the most of their own magnificent coastline."
The Isle of Wight scooped the most awards in the south-east, with two Blue Flags and 14 Quality Coast Awards.
Southsea was given a "basic pass" in the Marine Conservation Society Survey – down from the "recommendation" it achieved last year.
Hayling Island's beaches remained "recommended," but the quality of water also fell at Hill Head, Stokes Bay, Lee-on-the-Solent, and Pagham.
It is thought the drop in water quality reflects last summer's weather.
May to September was the seventh wettest on record, with floods causing polluted stormwater to run into rivers and the sea.
A total of 777 UK beaches were tested with just 370 reaching the "recommended" standard, compared with 444 last year.
It is the first time since 2002 that fewer than half of Britain's bathing beaches have reached the standard.
