Brilliant beaches are flying the flag for cleanliness.

Today, World Environment Day, Encams ñ the environmental charity behind the Keep Britain Tidy campaign has named its top beaches around the country.

Among the 82 beaches nationwide which received the Blue Flag award are 22 from the south east - three more than last year.

But while Brighton, Littlehampton, Eastbourne, and West Witterings are celebrating, Bognor's flag is at half-mast.

The popular tourist destination has lost its Blue Flag status after it chose not to apply for the award due its insufficient water quality.

This is a key area of assessment and continuously tested during the summer season.

Blue Flags recognise clean and safe stretches of coastline that promote environmental education and offer excellent visitor facilities.

The criteria to qualify for one includes the provision of first-aid facilities, clean toilets, recycling facilities and access for disabled visitors.

Sussex beaches which have won the award are Brighton and Hove's West Street and Hove Lawns, Eastbourne Pier to Wish Tower, Littlehampton, which regained its status after missing out last year, and West Wittering Beach.

Quality Coast Awards were also announced today.

These are given to the best beaches in the country which are well-managed but may not reach Blue Flag standards for water quality.

They were presented to Bognor, Littlehampton, Pelham Beach in Hastings and Worthing.

Greeting the news that Brighton had won the award for a second consecutive year, city council cabinet member for environment, Coun Geoffrey Theobald said: "It's easy to overlook how much work our seafront and environment teams do to keep our beaches beautiful.

"This is a great service to both residents and visitors."

Commenting on Eastbourne's success for the fifth year running, borough council spokesman for tourism, Coun Steve Wallis said: "This is fantastic news for the town and perfect timing for the busy summer months ahead.

"With the beach huts a sell-out success already this year, the sunloungers, kids' deckchairs and double deckchairs, mean there are plenty of options for making the most of Eastbourne's Blue Flag beach and bathing in our famous rays."

Coun Norman Dingemans, cabinet member for tourism at Arun District Council said: "That we have regained the Blue Flag for Littlehampton is a testament to the hard work that has gone into achieving and maintaining such high standards on our beach.

"It is disappointing that the sea water quality off Bognor Regis beach did not meet the very high standard demanded by ENCAMS for the Blue Flag award.

"We are optimistic it was, as the Environment Agency has suggested, just an anomaly for the year due to the exceptionally heavy summer rain in 2007.

"We are aware that many coastal towns have found themselves in the same situation as Bognor Regis.

"That said, it is important to remember that Bognor Regis beach has all the other aspects needed in place for the Blue Flag award such as beach cleaning, lifeguards, public toilets and first aid facilities, which is demonstrated by the fact that it has won a Quality Coast Award."

There are 2,682 Blue Flag beaches in the world. The best country for Blue Flags is Spain with 499, closely followed by Greece with 430.

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, Phil Barton, said: "We keep being told that our love affair with the seaside has been on the rocks. But as far as we are concerned England's beach resorts go from strength to strength."