Brighton's bathing waters are more polluted than they were 12 months ago.

The news is a major blow to its chances of achieving a European Blue Flag cleanliness award.

Environment experts say contamination levels have increased significantly, although the beach still meets basic European requirements.

Last year, Brighton and Hove Council was preparing to apply for Blue Flag status but the analysis results, announced by Environment Minister Michael Meacher today, are a setback.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Council said: "Brighton's water is generally good but it is more variable than our other beaches that are consistently good.

"Improvements have been made and when these settle down we probably will apply for Blue Flag status."

Along the coast, bathing waters at Newhaven have been transformed into some of the cleanest in the country.

Southern Water, which plans to spend £60 million upgrading the Portobello sewage works at Telscombe Cliffs, claims Brighton's setback strengthened the argument for the controversial scheme.

East Sussex County Council turned down the Portobello plan and the matter was thrashed out at a lengthy public inquiry.

A decision is expected from the Government later this month.

Newhaven's success is a major turnaround. Last year, the area failed to meet even mandatory European standards.

Bathing waters at Hove, Lancing and Bognor Regis East were given a Blue Flag.