COME on in, the water's lovely! That's the message to visitors to Felixstowe this summer after the resort's main holiday beach won a prestigious Blue Flag once again.

COME on in, the water's lovely! That's the message to visitors to Felixstowe this summer after the resort's main holiday beach won a prestigious Blue Flag once again.

Tourism chiefs and community leaders are thrilled at the success - with the seaside town winning an award now recognised worldwide, the same flag given to shores across Europe plus the Caribbean and America.

The Blue Flag is only awarded to resorts that have good access, top-notch facilities, litter-free sand and clean sea-water.

Felixstowe's Blue Flag is for its south beach - from the pier to the funfair. The quieter shores at The Dip have already scooped a yellow flag Seaside Award.

Suffolk Coastal cabinet member John Perry said: “The Blue Flag flying at Felixstowe is becoming a virtually permanent fixture and this year's success is another big thumbs-up for the resort and the efforts of this council to ensure the beach meets the tough quality standards.

“Visitors and residents know that a Blue Flag is a sure sign that they are guaranteed clean water and beaches.”

It is the seventh time the resort has won the award.

A record 18 beaches in the region won Blue Flags, including Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Hunstanton, Southwold, Clacton, Dovercourt, Sheringham and Cromer.

Blue Flag Director for the East of England, Nigel Tansley-Thomas said: “British people make nearly 300 million trips to their coast each year and are increasingly attracted to Blue Flag beaches because they offer cleaner sand and seawater and better facilities.

“Visitors look for a quality mark so I would urge all those beaches that haven't entered the award or have been unable to meet its strict criteria to strive harder - or risk being left behind.”

Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency VisitBritain said: “It's easy to forget that the British Isles are surrounded by miles of award-winning coastline.

“And that, despite competition from rival 'sun, sea and sand' destinations, millions of us head to British beaches throughout the year. The sheer variety of our beaches is a major appeal for visitors - whether it's gorgeous stretches of sand or pebbly shores for fossil-hunting, both are ideal for time-off with the kids or groups of friends.”

Felixstowe will be featured in The Blue Flag Beaches Guide 2006 with a colour location map, regional mini guide, and recommended attractions. It £4.99 from bookshops.

WEBLINK: www.visitbritain.com

What do you think of Felixstowe's beaches? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk