by Safira Ali

Last updated 13:13, Thursday, 23 October 2008

Copeland's beaches have been voted among the best in the country.

Silecroft, St Bees and Seascale are among seven in the north west to be recognised by the Marine Conservation Society as having the purest bathing water in the country. Although not recommended for winter dips, summer swimmers can be assured of excellent water quality standards.

The society’s Good Beach Guide only gives recommendations to beaches which are better than European water quality standards and are not affected by inadequately-treated sewage.

Copeland Council hopes to promote its attractive coast by applying for Quality Coast status, which is awarded to beaches with a high all-round standard and has appointed a project officer to push for it.

Copeland’s deputy leader for promoting prosperity, George Clements, said: “It’s excellent that visitors and residents can enjoy such high quality bathing water.

“Our beaches are beautiful anyway but to have this stamp of approval for the cleanliness of the water is great. If we can achieve Quality Coast status too, it will tell the world just how attractive this stretch of coastline is.”