Bognor has lost its Blue Flag.

The town’s beach has had its Blue Flag status – the sign of high water quality – taken away for the remainder of the 2012 season.

Arun District Council said: “Unusually high levels of rainfall in the Arun district this summer have meant that Bognor beach is unable to retain its Blue Flag status for the remainder of the 2012 season.

“For the past two consecutive years, the beach has consistently met the top water quality standards required to achieve the Blue Flag.

“However, recent bathing water quality samples taken by the Environment Agency have narrowly missed the high standards required for the Blue Flag to continue flying.

“It follows a high amount of rainfall and a lack of UV light from sunshine, which is needed to kill bacteria in the water, over the whole of the summer season.

“All samples taken at Bognor Regis Beach were still better than the mandatory standard required of the European Bathing Water Directive, meaning the water remains safe to swim in.

“Two weeks ago similar readings resulted in the Blue Flag having to be removed at Littlehampton.”

Arun District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, Councillor Paul Dendle said: “While it is disappointing Bognor Regis beach has so narrowly missed the water quality standard required to keep its Blue Flag status, it by no means detracts from the hard work Arun’s Foreshores staff, and contractors put into keeping the beach clean, safe and one of the area’s star attractions.

“The beach boasts a great range of concessions and family-friendly beachside attractions. I would like to emphasise that the beach remains firmly open for business.”

The council’s Chief Executive Nigel Lynn added: “The council will continue to do all it can to promote Bognor as a quality, safe and attractive seaside resort.”

Information about bathing water quality in the Arun district is published on www.arun.gov.uk, along with the results of regular tests.