EVERY beach in Hampshire has hit the top Blue Flag standard on bathing water quality this summer - and more Isle of Wight beaches than ever have notched up the same success.

It is the first time all 13 beaches in the county won the highest "excellent" standard.

Twelve out of 13 Isle of Wight beaches were also classed as having excellent water quality - a level 20 times higher than the good category needed to pass the annual test. Only Bembridge, at the east end of the Island, was classed as good.

This summer's results compare with just 41 per cent of beaches in the Southern Water region meeting the lower good standard in 1988.

That year, a multi-million- pound improvement programme was triggered to combat dirty seawater.

Now 69 per cent of beaches across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight as well as Kent and Sussex have scored the top grade in the European bathing water tests.

John Spence, from Southern Water, said: "For the first time, all 13 Hampshire beaches passed the highest European standards.

"The results show the benefits of our treatment improvement programme, which continues to deliver environmental benefits along our 776 miles of coastline.

"However, we must remember that there are still many factors, not within Southern Water's control, that can affect bathing water quality such as rainwater running off roads and streets, discharges from boats and even animals on beaches."

Having excellent bathing water also does not guarantee that a beach will receive a Blue Flag. There are more than 20 other criteria unconnected with water, including disabled access, educational information and the provision of lifeguards, which a beach must also meet.

THE MARK OF EXCELLENCE:

Bathing waters scoring an 'excellent' in the guideline European standards

HAMPSHIRE:

Highcliffe

Lepe

Christchurch Bay

Milford-on-Sea

Calshot

Hillhead

Lee on Solent

Stokes Bay

Eastney

West Hayling

West of Eaststoke

West Beachlands

Southsea

ISLE OF WIGHT:

Ryde

St Helens

Seagrove

Whitecliff Bay

Sandown

Shanklin

Ventnor

Compton Bay

Colwell Bay

Cowes

Gurnard

Totland Bay