SUSSEX has some of the cleanest beaches in the UK, according to a survey.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) graded water quality at more than 90 per cent of the UK's bathing beaches as "excellent" following a mid-season analysis of water quality data from 520 bathing sites.

Sussex beaches included in the "excellent" rating are West Wittering, Bracklesham Bay, Selsey, Pagham, Bognor Regis - East, Felpham, Middleton-on Sea, Littlehampton, Worthing, South Lancing, Birling Gap, Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay, Norman's Bay, Bexhill, St Leonards, Hastings, Winchelsea and Camber.

An "excellent" grade means the MCS is satisfied that the beach has a low risk of bacterial contamination and recommends it for bathing.

The results were based on tests conducted by the Environment Agency over a ten-week period between May and July.

Bognor Regis was the only Sussex beach in the survey that did not receive an "excellent" rating. Instead, it received a "basic pass" grade.

The MCS report only rates beaches that have had ten samples taken between May and July. Brighton's beaches had less than ten samples and will appear in a later report after the bathing season is finished at the end of September.

Five of the beaches looked after by Arun Distirct Council - Bognor Regis East, Littlehampton, Pagham, Middleton-On-Sea, Felpham - received the "excellent" grading.

For the full results, visit www.goodbeachguide.co.uk