THREE of our glorious beaches have been awarded the prestigious blue flag status.

Thorpe Bay, Shoebury, and Shoebury East beaches have all been given the status, while the central seafront beaches in Southend have missed out.

The blue flag status not only guarantees the water is of good quality, but that nearby facilities are of decent standard.

The blue flag criteria are divided into four categories with a total of 33 individual targets.

These are environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services.

The blue flag status is widely considered the gold standard for beaches across the UK.

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The blue flag status are updated every year.

For a complete list of the beaches given the status, click here.