50 British beaches could become 'no-swim zones' under new EU laws

Blackpool beach would not currently meet EU standards to be introduced in 2015. Photo: PA

Around fifty popular British beaches could be closed to swimmers because they pose significant health risks, according to The Environment Agency.

One in ten of the UK's 502 beaches would fail tough new tests on water quality - due to be introduced across Europe in 2015 - owing to sewage, run-off from farms and even dodgy plumbers wrongly connecting toilets and kitchen appliances.

Named and shamed are six in Lancashire, including Blackpool Central and Blackpool South, two in Devon, Margate in Kent, and one in North Wales called Llandudno West Shore.

Beaches that fail the new guidelines will be fined, and told to put up No Bathing signs, according to the The Sun.

But, on the flips side, this does mean that nine in 10 (89%) of our beaches do meet the new standard, a total of 447 sites.

The Environment Agency told the Mirror that standards had soared but it was still 'tackling persistent sources of pollution'.

Discover the best beaches in Britain:

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