6 November 2012 Last updated at 07:15 ET

Four beaches in Cornwall have failed to meet the European Union's guidelines for clean bathing water.

Despite passing last year's inspection, Seaton, East Looe, Wherry Town and Bude Summerleaze have failed to meet requirements.

An additional 24 beaches have failed to meet the government's own, more stringent guidelines on clean bathing.

These include Readymoney Cove near Fowey and Crantock near Newquay.

Richard Cresswell, Environment Agency director for the South West, said: "Bathing water quality has improved significantly over the past two decades, but this year's significant rainfall over the summer has impacted on bathing water quality around the coast, particularly in the South West."

Despite the unusually high levels of rain, 92% of the 193 beaches in the South West region still passed the European standards.

"During intense rainfall, pollution from farmland, roads and drains is washed into water courses that finally end up in the sea," Mr Cresswell added.

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Beaches fail EU water standard