The number of Kent beaches awarded an acclaimed Blue Flag has increased by a third compared to last year.

A total of eight have been given the award, including six across Thanet - up from the total of six awarded to the county in 2024.

Blue Flag, the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas, is an environmental education programme managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

It gives the stamp of approval to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

This year's beaches given the honour are Birchington's Minnis Bay, Botany Bay in Broadstairs, Westgate-on-Sea's St Mildred's Bay, plus Ramsgate Main Sands and Margate Main Sands and Joss Bay.

The other two Kent recipients on the list, in what is the 38th year of the awards, are Tankerton in Whitstable and Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.

Thanet District Council's cabinet member for cleansing and coastal services, Steve Albon, said: "Having Blue Flags once again for the popular main beaches in Margate and Ramsgate is especially good news for Thanet.

“These awards are the result of a great deal of hard work to keep up the high standards of our beaches.

"Work goes on all year round, not just over the summer. Our fabulous beaches are one of the main reasons that people come to Thanet.

"Local people, as well as visitors, expect our 19 miles of coastline to be well-maintained and safe and this year’s awards show that our beaches are meeting the standards that people look for.”

Meanwhile, Thanet also scooped 12 Seaside Awards - its six Blue Flag beaches as well as West Bay, Westgate-on-Sea; Westbrook Bay, Margate; Walpole Bay, Margate; Stone Bay, Broadstairs; Viking Bay, Broadstairs and Louisa Bay, Broadstairs.

They joined Leysdown, Minster Leas and Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, Herne Bay and lastly Tankerton, which claimed the accolade alongside its Blue Flag.

These are achievements presented to the best beaches in England to celebrate the quality and diversity of coastlines.

Criteria assessed includes the likes of first aid, lifeguards and litter management.

The announcement comes just a fortnight after three Kent beaches received the highly unwanted title of having some of the worst bathing water quality in England.

Coastlines at Littlestone, Deal Castle and Dymchurch were awarded the dreaded accolades in the 2025 Brown Flag Awards earlier this month.

These are beaches rated as “poor” by the Environment Agency (EA) due to their potentially unsafe levels of bacteria in the water.