Two Gwynedd beaches have lost their Blue Flags, but have picked up a seaside award for water quality.

Tywyn and Aberdaron beaches fell short of the high standards examiners look for when judging beaches, but were still awarded a seaside award by inspectors.

Six beaches in Gwynedd held on to their prestigious Blue Flag status for 2019.

They were, Barmouth/Abermaw, Abersoch, Criccieth Traeth y Promenade, Dinas Dinlle, Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands) and Pwllheli.

On the loss of Blue Flag status at Aberdaron and Tywyn, a spokesperson for adjudicators, Keep Wales Tidy, said: “It’s by no means terrible news for these two beaches.

“The water quality just slipped below the high standards set to gain blue flag status.

“The Seaside Award is a nationally recognised award and each beach will fly a blue and yellow flag.”

The Seaside Award is Keep Britain Tidy’s own award for the beaches that meet the very highest standards for cleanliness and facilities.

Keep Wales Tidy has awarded 44 Blue Flags this year at 40 beaches, three marinas and one boat tour operator, meaning that Wales once again has more Blue Flags per mile than anywhere else in the UK.

The iconic Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

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