FIVE of Southend’s beaches have struck gold after being awarded the highest water quality standard by a national watchdog.

The Good Beach Guide, which judges beaches across the country on the standard of their water quality, gave glowing praise for Westcliff Bay, Three Shells and Thorpe Bay beaches as well as Shoebury and Shoebury East.

However, the water quality at Chalkwell and Jubilee Beach has slipped from the highest gold standard to a basic pass. Leigh Bell Wharf was also given a pass.

Derek Jarvis, Tory councillor responsible for tourism, said he was thrilled with the results.

He said: “It is a testament to the hard work of the staff who keep them in the state you see.

“In the long term, this will benefit not only residents but visitors too.”

The annual report takes water samples during the peak bathing season, between May and September, and analyses them according to strict criteria.

Under the European Union’s bathing water directive, beaches which have been designated as bathing areas and attract large numbers of tourists must meet a minimum legal standard. The guide is produced by the Marine Conservation Society every year to test whether beaches across the country meet those standards.

A basic pass means the minimum standard was met.

Mr Jarvis added: “It will help businesses on the seafront and it is great for them to know people across the country will be reading this information.

“It is going to be a really big year for Southend, starting with the airshow, as well as the Jubilee celebrations and of course the Olympics.”

Scott Dolling, Southend Council’s group manager for enterprise and tourism added: “This is very good news in the run-up to the season, especially for all those who enjoy bathing and watersports.

“It is yet another excellent reason for visitors to choose Southend as their premier destination.” Beaches which fail to meet the legal standards have to put up signs warning people not to go into the water because of health risks.