Felixstowe beach (Felixstowe South and Pier) is flying high after being named as one of country's best beaches by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, joining an elite of seaside towns scooping Blue Flag and Seaside Awards this year.

Mayor of Felixstowe, Councillor Mark Jepson, said: “We are delighted to announce that Felixstowe has been recognised as one of the country's best beaches. To be awarded a Blue Flag, beaches must comply with several criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety, and services.

"It was a great team effort to achieve these awards and thanks must go to Felixstowe Town Council, Felixstowe Forward, East Suffolk Council as well as the army of volunteer litter-pickers who play a huge part in keeping the beach clean. We urge anyone visiting our fantastic beach to leave the beach as they find it, respect our resort and dispose of litter appropriately.”

The Seaside Award recognises and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet the required standards for water quality. Felixstowe consistently meets the criteria for 'excellent' international bathing water quality standards and is the only beach in Suffolk to meet this exacting standard required for the Blue Flag.

Councillor Jepson spoke to BBC Suffolk’s Mark Murphy about Felixstowe beach’s Blue Flag and Seaside Award. Listen again here (at approximately 1hr 24mins) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08lbq8b