Bathing water quality, tested at 81 beaches across Cornwall, is the best on record and that all have met or exceeded tough European bathing water standards, it has been announced – an improvement on last year’s controversial ’poor’ rating at East Looe, which is now ranked ’sufficient’.

The results show water quality at 78 beaches in Cornwall is excellent or good with four more beaches than last year achieving the excellent classification. None of the water quality at beaches tested was classified as poor.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment Joyce Duffin said: ’We are delighted that the hard work of all the partners including the Environment Agency, South West Water and local bathing water champions has been recognised with these great results.

’We will all continue to work together to ensure bathing waters are maintained and improved further and ask that the public works with us to reduce pollution as everyone can make a positive difference to help improve the quality of bathing waters in Cornwall.’