A POPULAR Clacton beach has lost its Blue Flag, which once marked it as one of the best beaches in the country.

Clacton’s Martello Beach and Walton’s Albion Beach both clinched the prestigious award in 2015 and have been flying the Blue Flag for the last year – but both have now lost out.

The flags are dished out each year by Keep Britain Tidy to recognise the best beaches in the UK.

Judges visit the sandy sites to mark them on how clean and safe they are, as well as their environmental standards and water quality.

The Martello Beach lost its flag bid over water quality concerns, while Tendring Council said the Walton loss was over “a technicality”.

But council bosses said they were working hard to get the Blue Flags back next year – and are confident of doing so.

Council seafront boss Nick Turner said: “We are disappointed to lose the flags and it is a negative.

“In Walton, it was over a technicality. After a heavy rainfall, you have to put a notice up advising people not to bathe there before several tides have gone.

“We were 10 minutes late putting the sign up and were punished for it. We appealed, but got nowhere.

“With the Martello, the water standard requirements and Clacton did not make the new grade this time.

“Both beaches are still great and are no less so than they have been with the Blue Flag.

They are as good as they have ever been.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

While Clacton and Walton lost out, Frinton, Brightlingsea and Dovercourt all retained their Blue Flag awards.

The Martello Beach and Albion Beach did still clinch Seaside Awards, recognising top standards in cleanliness and seafront facilities.

Mr Turner said the council was working hard to regain the flags next year – as well as applying for more.

He added: “We are still second in the country in terms of councils for the amount of Blue Flags and Seaside Awards, which we are proud of. But we want the maximum.

“It is an unknown pollution which is affecting the Martello water quality and we are investigating thoroughly.

“We are looking at hedgerows and ditches, as well as any building work on houses within a mile radius, and won’t stop until we find the cause.

“We are confident of getting our flags back.

We are pushing every resource, along with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water.”

Tendring Council is planning to apply for a Blue Flag for its revamped Holland-on-Sea beaches next year.