Eastbourne has been awarded a blue and yellow flag for high beach standards for the tenth year running.

The Seaside Awards flag will be flown from the bandstand on the seafront, showing the beach has achieved high levels of safety.

To be entitled to fly the flag, the section of beach between the Wish Tower and the Pier had to pass strict checks for its safety, cleanliness, management and facilities.

The water quality at the beach complies with the European bathing water directive and recently passed the Marine Conservation Society's clean bathing water standard.

Seaside Awards assessors gave Eastbourne an 'A', saying it was 'superbly managed'. It was one of only 57 beaches in the country to reach the top standard.

Councillor Barbara Goodall said: "Eastbourne's seafront offers facilities such as lifeguards, beach huts and entertainment for everyone.

"Like the Sovereign Harbour marina and the South Downs, it is a special place."