The awards scheme is administered by Keep Britain Tidy.

Richard McIlwain, operations director of the charity, said: It is fantastic news for everyone who loves visiting the seaside that 147 places will be flying a flag that guarantees the public the best facilities and the cleanest beaches this summer.

Read a full list of winning beaches here.

Some of the Blue Flag beaches are recommended by our destination experts.

Norfolk our expert Sophie Butler said:

"Cromer, like its neighbour Sheringham, is a blue-flag beach. Well-managed, long and sandy, this large resort has a traditional pier, zoning for watersports, and lifeguards on patrol during summer. Crab boats unload their catches onto the sand and there are plenty of cafes and ice-cream places within easy reach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September."

"Sea Palling" is a blue-flag stretch of yellow sand backed by dunes and with occasional outcrops of large grey boulders and fine shingle. There is a series of manmade reefs lying just off shore. This sea defence scheme, built in the mid-1990s by the Environment Agency, was designed to protect the area from flooding and helps calm the water making it good for swimming (the area is zoned in summer) but also attracting jet skiers, canoeists and windsurfers.

Devon our expert Suzy Bennett said:

"Beneath wooded cliffs, Blackpool Sands is a mile-long, privately owned sweep of shingle that attracts families in their droves during the school holidays. By day, swimmers can practise their dives from a floating dock, and the beach caf stays open beyond sunset."

Read more expert destination guides

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Blue flag beaches down in Britain