Blue Flags: Norfolk beaches claim five awards Published duration 15 May 2012

image caption Five Norfolk beaches, including Cromer, have been awarded Blue Flags in 2012

Five beaches in Norfolk have been given prestigious Blue Flag Awards for their high standards of clean sea water, safety and beach management.

Cromer, Sheringham, Sea Palling, Mundesley and Hunstanton have all been given the flag for their facilities.

Hunstanton beach has also been awarded a Quality Coast Award, one of only 36 beaches in England to gain both honours in the annual Keep Britain Tidy scheme.

East Runton beach has also gained a Quality Coast Award for the first time.

Councillor Elizabeth Nockolds, of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, said: "It is great news Hunstanton has achieved these prestigious awards once again and further recognition of the quality of the resort.

"The flags are a clear symbol to visitors that the beach and facilities are well-managed and clean."

image caption Sea Palling beach includes a number of off-shore reefs

Around the East coast, 24 beaches were awarded Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards

'Wonderfully clean'

Councillor John Lee, deputy leader and cabinet member for tourism at North Norfolk District Council, said: "We are delighted that all four of north Norfolk's Blue Flag resort beaches have retained their awards this year.

"This, following the comments we received in the Good Beach Guide, confirms the district as a wonderfully clean, tidy and safe place to live and to visit."

In total, England's beaches will fly Blue Flags on 142 award-winning beaches in 2012, nine more than in 2011.

Phil Barton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, which is responsible for the Blue Flag scheme, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that England has more Blue Flag beaches this year and we urge more holiday-makers to take advantage of the East of England's award-winning resorts this summer.

"It's great to see that more beaches along our coastline have achieved high standards of excellence for visitors."