TEN of the north's top seaside spots have been honoured with the Blue Flag award for excellence.
The award programme, certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education, judges beaches and marinas on their commitment to protecting the coastal environment, excellent water quality, safety, and access.
Cranfield Bay, Benone, Downhill, Murlough, Portrush West, Portstewart Strand, Tyrella and Whiterock beaches will all be flying a blue flag following yesterday's ceremony, as well as the Ballycastle and Ballyronan Marinas.
Two beaches in the north however, Castlerock and Crawfordsburn, lost their Blue Flag accreditation but both have received national accreditation.
A further 14 national awards were handed out to resorts in the north, including the Seaside Award, which is the national standard for beaches across the UK.
The Seaside Award was given to 12 beaches, guaranteeing visitors they will find a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed coastal environment at that location.
Two of the north's more rural beaches, Minerstown and Helen's Bay, received the Green Coast Award, which recognises an agreement between the operator and the local community to protect and promote a natural beach environment, rather than developing visitor infrastructure.
Tony Wilcox, chairman of the environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said the awards are a boost for tourism and the community.
"Having Northern Ireland’s world class beaches managed to such high standards is helping improve the quality of our lives as well as attracting visitors," he said.
"Beach operators are inspirational people showing that all of us can play our part in loving where we live."
