Three beaches in our region have been honoured after being ranked amongst the best in the country.

The beach at Southwold has retained its Blue Flag status, while Lowestoft's South Beach and Kessingland Beach have both achieved Seaside Awards.

The accolades were announced this week by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

With the country’s best beaches awarded Blue Flags and Seaside Awards each year, once again four of East Suffolk’s beaches have been selected for 2023.

Lowestoft Journal: Southwold beach.Southwold beach. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Both Felixstowe (Felixstowe South and Pier) and Southwold (Southwold Pier) have received combined Seaside Awards and Blue Flags while the beaches at Lowestoft South of Claremont Pier (bathing/resort) and Kessingland (non-bathing) have received Seaside Awards.

Lowestoft Journal: Lowestoft's South Beach.Lowestoft's South Beach. (Image: Mick Howes)

This is the fourth consecutive year in which Felixstowe has received the Blue Flag and a second successive year for Southwold after it made "a welcome return" to the town last year for the first time since 2018.

Paul Wood, head of economic development and regeneration at East Suffolk Council, said: "East Suffolk’s beaches are hugely popular with residents and visitors, and we are delighted to once again receive these prestigious awards which reflect the quality of our beaches and the cleanliness of our coastline.

"This will provide an extra boost to our important tourism sector as it continues to recover from Covid restrictions.

"Anyone visiting East Suffolk’s beaches this summer can be sure they are visiting one of the best in the country."

In the east of England 17 beaches across the region have met the high standard required and earned a Blue Flag, with 23 beaches in total across the east having been presented with an award recognising the quality of the beach, the way it is managed and the facilities it offers to visitors.

Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said: "Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards."