DORSET’S beaches are back on track when it comes to water bathing quality.

It comes after seven beaches in the county failed Defra’s guideline standards in 2014 – but this year all apart from one beach were rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

Weymouth central and Lodmoor were both found to be ‘excellent’ in the tough standards, as were Church Ope Cove, Durdle Door, Kimmeridge Bay, Ringstead, West Bay, Swanage and Seatown.

Bowleaze Cove, Lulworth Cove, Lyme Regis Front beach, and Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle were all rated ‘good’. But Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach was rated ‘poor’. Castle Cove was not assessed in 2015 as it could not be checked due to landslips.

The seven which failed last year were Castle Cove, Sandsfoot Castle, Seatown, Church Cliff and Front Beach in Lyme, and two in the east of the county.

Cllr Jason Osborne, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council spokesman for leisure and tourism, said it is ‘fantastic news’.

“It is reassuring to know there is not an issue with our bathing water after the ratings last year.”

A total of 97 per cent of England’s bathing waters passed the minimum standard with 63.6 per cent meeting the excellent standard.

Cllr Ian Bruce, borough council spokesman for corporate affairs and continuous improvement, said: “It’s something we really work hard at in Dorset and I am so proud of all our beaches. To hear that the authorities now agree with us that our beaches are excellent is great news.”

The trend in improving bathing water quality in Dorset mirrors that in the rest of the country.

In 1990, just 27 per cent met strict water quality standards.

Environment Minister Rory Stewart said: “Our bathing waters continue to get better, with 97 per cent meeting new, tougher standards. We continue working to further improve the quality of our water, and last year our coast was the cleanest it has ever been.

“Swimming is allowed and all beaches remain open; new EU standards are simply there to advise and inform the public on water quality.

“I want Britain’s beaches, seas and lakes to have the cleanest water in the world. We need everyone to help us achieve this – from government, water companies and councils to local communities.”

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