Beaches still far too dirty

At least 28 British beaches are still failing Europe's standards on cleanliness, according to the Environment Agency. AndLynmouth, in the South-west, this year recorded a pollution sample 60 times the legal limit.

Michael Meacher, Labour's spokesman for the environment, said the figures showed too many beaches were still below standards supposed to have been met 11 years ago."When will the privatised monopoly water companies finally live up to their public duty?" he said.

Mr Meacher said the statistics should embarrass North West Water which recently spent more than pounds 200,000 on advertising attacking Labour.