A WEST Dorset beach is at risk of failing tough new standards for water quality, the Environment Agency has warned.

From next year, more stringent European Union regulations will be brought in for bathing spots around England.

In England, beaches at risk include Lyme Regis Church Cliff beach.

Back in April, Church Cliff Beach was ranked ‘mandatory’ in this year’s Good Beach Guide after it failed the list last year.

The popular beach still faces the threat of de-designation if it is categorised as poor in 2015.

South West Water, which worked with Lyme Regis Town Council and the Environment Agency to help improve the water quality, pledged in November last year to spend another £500,000 in Lyme Regis to improve its infrastructure over the next 18 months.

Lyme Regis town councillor, Mark Gage, said: “We do not expect Church Cliff beach to fail in the near future. The Town Council has met with representatives of South West Water, the Environment Agency and West Dorset District Council in the last month to continue to look at all the actions that can be taken, not only for Church Cliff beach but all the beaches in the town. We were very reassured by the SWW investment which we believe will improve the water quality of that beach.”