Blackpool beaches recognised for their cleanliness with Seaside Awards

The national awards, handed out by Keep Britain Tidy, have been retained for beaches at Blackpool South, Blackpool Central, Blackpool North and Bispham.

They recognise high standards of beach management including removal of litter, nearby facilities and water quality. At resort style beaches dogs must be excluded from the award area of the beach during the bathing season.

Coun Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for climate change, said: “A visit to the beach is a big part of a trip to Blackpool, so it’s really important we can welcome visitors to somewhere that has had an independent seal of approval.

"Wherever you go on our coastline, you are sure of an award-winning beach."

Action includes the provision of more than 800 litter bins on the Promenade, including 250 large capacity bins which are emptied daily with increased collections when there is good weather and high visitor numbers.

Reminders are in place to prompt people to use bins or take their litter home with them.

Bathing water quality at Bispham is currently rated excellent, at Blackpool Central and Blackpool South it is rated good, while at Blackpool North it is rated sufficient, according to the latest samples taken by the Environment Agency.

This year's bathing water season began on May 1, with samples due to be taken until September 30 to measure water quality.

Coun Hugo added: "It’s a collective effort to keep our beaches clean and we know how passionately local residents feel about it.

“On behalf of the council I’d like to thank everyone who has played their part. From our dedicated Streetscene and Beach Patrol teams, to the many volunteers who litter pick, to every person that does the right thing and disposes of their litter responsibly.

“The number of visitors we are seeing in Blackpool following the pandemic is a great testimony to what Blackpool has to offer and now receiving this award confirms our position as a great place to live and visit.”

Blackpool is part of Turning Tides, the cross-agency partnership working across the North West to improve bathing water quality.