ESSEX scored ten out of ten for the cleanliness of water around beaches and bathing areas.

All ten sites passed the Environment Agency tests.

Two achieved the minimum acceptable - at Clacton Groyne and Clacto Beach Martello Tower.

The other eight made the highest standard - at Brightlingsea, Clacton, Dovercourt, Frinton, Holland-on-Sea, Jaywick, Walton and West Mersea.