COME on in the water is fine -- is the message from top marine experts who have awarded two of Blackpool's beaches the much sought-after yellow flag status.

The MCS (Marine Conservation Society) launched its Good Beach Guide 2002 last week -- beside one of the most clean stretches of sand in Britain, Blackpool South beach.

The guide highlights which coastal waters are the best for a safe and happy seaside visit and which are still polluted with sewage.

Blackpool's all four beaches feature in the guide and have been awarded the mandatory pass by the MCS. This means that Blackpool North and Central beaches have passed the minimum legal requirements for water quality.

But Bispham and Blackpool South beach have gone several steps further by being given the top grade obtainable in the guide -- the yellow flag of recommendation. This means that these two beaches are not affected by any sewage outfalls which discharge preliminary or primary treated sewage.

Blackpool's head of tourism Jane Seddon was delighted with the accolade as she told The Citizen: "It is fantastic news and something which Blackpool as a town has been lobbying hard for with the environment agency and water authority to ensure the quality of Blackpool sea is safe for bathing.

"In the future we will be continuing to work with those agencies to make sure that these improvement measures carry on."

In general it was a good year for the reputation of Britain's bathing waters as a total of 341 UK beaches made the grade to be recommended in the guide, 66 more than 2001 and the largest annual increase ever.

Even better news is the decrease in the number failing the minimum EC standard for bathing water quality from 90 to 61 this year.

Kate Hutchinson, the MCS pollution officer said: "The MCS is really pleased with the improvement in bathing water quality this year and the wide geographical range of beaches in the MCS Good Beach Guide.

"However there are still areas affected by bacterial pollution from both sewage and diffuse sources and the MCS Good Beach Guide allows the public to make an informed choice about where and whether to bathe."