Beaches: UK's best and worst
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Millions of us will head to the beach this summer to enjoy the sun and perhaps even take a dip in the sea. But before you head down to the seaside and have a swim you might want to check the water quality of the beach you are visiting.
Two major annual surveys provide holidaymakers and day-trippers with an up-to-date guide to the British beaches worth visiting and to avoid.
The Marine Conservation Society (MSC) produce the Good Beach Guide and the EU Environment Agency (EEA) publishes an annual report on beaches across in Europe. Both guides judge the quality of water at the beaches and whether they meet bathing cleanliness standards. Separately, the MSC also produces a survey of litter on UK beaches.
Map: Interactive map of the water quality ratings of every beach in Europe.
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Millions of us will head to the beach this summer to enjoy the sun and perhaps even take a dip in the sea. But before you head down to the seaside and have a swim you might want to check the water quality of the beach you are visiting.
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