SEVEN Cornwall Council beaches, including Widemouth Bay, Summerleaze and Crooklets, will be flying Blue Flags with Cornwall receiving the largest number of Blue Flag and Seaside Awards in the country.

The beaches flying the prestigious Blue Flags have also been successful in their bid for a Seaside Award. Additionally, Crooklets and Summerleaze in Bude has gained Keep Britain Tidy’s own award for the beaches that meet the very highest standards for cleanliness and facilities.

All the award applications have been funded by Sharp’s Brewery Limited, with Cornwall Council co-ordinating the application process. Community groups, beach champions and local businesses have also contributed to ensuring the beaches reach the exacting standards required to win.

Sharp’s Brewery, based in Rock, has donated 5p from every pint of Sharp’s limited edition beers to the prestigious Blue Flag initiative.

James Nicholls, senior brand manager at Sharp’s Brewery, said: “With Sharp’s Brewery being based in Rock, North Cornwall, the coastline and our beaches are deeply important to us. We are delighted to have raised over £15,000 in 2015 through sales of our exceptional, limited release beers. In 2016, we are extremely proud to be supporting the coastal community again, helping those beautiful beaches obtain and retain the prestigious Blue Flag status that they so highly deserve.

“The Blue Flag initiative does a fantastic job of supporting beaches and communities in coastal areas, and we are pleased to be supporting the charity again within our heartland of Cornwall.”

Joyce Duffin, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for Housing and Environment, said: “It is fantastic to see what can be achieved when sponsors, local beach champions and the council work together to achieve these really excellent results for Cornwall.

“It’s great to see how everyone has stepped up to support their beaches. It is not just the cost of the application itself which needs to be factored in, but all the work that needs to be carried out for a beach to be worthy of a Blue Flag or Seaside award.

“The sponsorship and practical efforts of all concerned, which has helped Cornwall Council to make the applications, is to be applauded.”

Ian Saltern, who manages the Cleaner Seas Project on Bude’s Summerleaze beach, added: “I’m really pleased that Summerleaze has achieved a Seaside Award again this year. It’s testament to the hard work that the whole community is doing to keep the beach and seawater as clean as possible.

“I’d like to thank the local businesses which have given their support this year. It’s also great to see Crooklets receiving a Seaside Award again this year. That is due in no small part to the Crooklets Recycling and Picking group, which works so hard to keep Crooklets clean.”