The Coastguards (east) Beach has been named as a winner of both the coveted 2015 Blue Flag Award and Seaside Award. The prize rewards the beach’s fantastic facilities, cleanliness and, in the case of the Blue Flag awards, meeting the highest international standard of water quality. Pupils from River Beach Primary School gathered on Littlehampton seafront earlier today (May 20) to help the chairman of Arun District Council, councillor Dougal Maconachie, the mayor of Littlehampton, Jill Long, and Arun District Council’s cabinet member for leisure and amenities, councillor Paul Dendle to raise the flags. Mr Maconachie praised the hard work of everyone involved in maintaining both beaches to such a high standard. He said: “This is great news for Arun and is a sign of our commitment to keeping our beaches clean and safe for both tourists and locals alike. “We would also like to thank all the partners, volunteers and community groups who do a fantastic job to help keep our beaches tidy. It’s a proud day for all of us.” The contingent were joined by Beach and River Ward Members, along with members of the council’s foreshores team. The beach is just one of 12 in the south-east to win the coveted Blue Flag status. Over in Bognor Regis, the east Beach also secured the Seaside Award once more. Year three pupils from the Edward Bryant Academy helped council leaders in raising the flag. The Blue Flag is an international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world. It is awarded to coastal destinations which have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management. The Blue Flag Programme is administered in England by Keep Britain Tidy and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Formerly known as the Quality Coast Award, Keep Britain Tidy’s Seaside Award recognises and rewards beaches in England which achieve the highest standards of beach management. The award is a symbol of the great achievements of beach managers throughout the country and allows them to showcase their beaches as amongst the best in England. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittlehamptonGazette 3 Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Littlehampton Gazette - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.