Prestigious awards for
North beaches
March 14, 2002
The North-East's battered tourism industry enjoyed some much-needed good news yesterday when 15 of its beaches scooped prestigious Seaside Awards.
The awards by EnCams, formerly Keep Britain Tidy, only go to beaches which meet the highest standards, especially in water quality, toilets and access.
In Northumberland, which was particularly badly affected by last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak, Amble Links, Bamburgh, Beadnell Bay and Low Newton, St Aidens and Warkworth have all been included in the list of the UK's top beaches.
Further south, Whitley Bay South, Cullercoats, Longsands and King Edward's Bay in Tynemouth, Sandhaven in South Shields, Seaburn and Roker in Sunderland and Redcar Lifeboat Station and Saltburn in Cleveland have all attained the award.
Seaton Carew won the award last year but has now lost it, while King Edward's Bay has won for the first time.
Enjoying a paddle at Tynemouth yesterday, Eddie Darke, deputy leader of North Tyneside Council, was thrilled to hear of King Edward's Bay's success.
'Fantastic job'
He said: ‘It is a great achievement - the council have spent a great deal of time and money improving that part of Tynemouth and now it seems that is being recognised.
‘It's a great place to come for a day out and now hopefully more people will get to hear about it.
‘A lot of credit must go to the council workers who do a fantastic job clearing up litter in the face of stiff opposition from people who drop things around the place.’
Marian Harrison, regional director for EnCams, was delighted her region had scooped 15 of the 317 awards made across the country.
She said: ‘This is great news for the North-East, it means these beaches have achieved an excellent level of facilities. People are much more aware of surveys now and we know from past experience that winning a Seaside Award can have an incredibly positive impact on a seaside town or community.
‘We all know how fantastic the region's beaches are but these awards will help let people from other parts of the country into the secret.’
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Copyright (c) 2000-2002 Sue Kelly