WITH the summer months just round the corner, Felixstowe has been given some great news today – its holiday beaches are among the best in Britain.

Both the resort’s beaches north and south of the pier have been given top marks for the water cleanliness and facilities, and are included in this year’s Good Beach Guide.

Mayor Doreen Savage said it was brilliant news for the resort and showed that it didn’t need a Blue Flag to promote the quality of its sandy shores.

“I think that is brilliant, really great news for the town and for our seafront traders who really need something good after all the bad weather they have had to ensure in the last month,” she said.

“People were very upset when we stopped going for the Blue Flag but this proves our beaches are still of high quality nationally.”

Geoff Holdcroft, cabinet member for leisure and economic development at Suffolk Coastal council, said: “It is excellent news that our beaches in Felixstowe have again received the official stamp of approval as among the best in the country.

“The regular water testing confirms that we have some of the cleanest bathing water in Britain, and the near �20m investment we attracted to improve the beaches and our coast defences at the north and south end of the resort was money well invested.

“This guide shows once again that Felixstowe really does offer Great Days by the Sea, and I hope that it will encourage more people to come along and experience the unique delights on offer.”

The beaches are included in the silver anniversary edition of the Good Beach Guide, published today by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which recommends 516 out of 754 – some 68per cent – of UK bathing beaches as having excellent water quality.

It is 8pc more than last year and the best in the guide’s 25-year history.

MCS coastal pollution officer, Rachel Wyatt said: “This summer will see the first samples taken under the revised Bathing Water Directive which will replace the current standards with far more stringent ones from 2015.

“It’s really important that local authorities, water companies and environmental regulators don’t become complacent and take their collective feet off the pedal of continued environmental improvements.

“If that happens we could see a drop in the number of beaches recommended by us in the future, which could pose a risk to the great reputation that British beaches have.”

The Star went out onto the streets of Ipswich and the majority of residents were pleased to hear the news.

Student Daniel Stephens, 16, said “The clean water really encourages me to go. Over the summer I go to Felixstowe three or four times a week.”

However, 20-year-old street executive Lee Buckle said he never went to Felixstowe.

Sisters Shingai, 22, and Cleo Kamere, 20, were delighted at the news that Felixstowe had excellent water quality. Shingai Kamere said “I want to move to Felixstowe, why not?”

David Webb, 83, added: “We used to go there quite a lot as children, I will go now and shall able to go swimming.”