12 beaches have been awarded a prestigious Blue Flag for cleanliness

Blue Flag beaches named. Credit: Keep Britain Tidy

Twelve beaches in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been awarded Blue Flags for cleanliness. The beaches are tested for water quality, beach cleanliness, lifeguard cover and local amenities such as cafes and toilets.

The 12 beaches are: Cromer North, Sea Palling, Sheringham and Mundesley in Norfolk.

Southwold Pier and Lowestoft South Claremont Pier in Suffolk.

East Beach Shoeburyness, Shoebury Common and Thorpe Bay in Southend on Sea, Essex. Dovercourt Bay, Brightlingsea, Frinton On Sea in Essex.

Hunstanton, Walton-on-the-Naze and Clacton have lost their blue flags from last year. The three beaches in Southend are new additions.Read the full details here

See Kate Prout's report here