SIX beaches will today be flying the flag for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight after being named among the best in Europe.

A total of 15 beaches in the south east, including six in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are celebrating after being awarded Europe's most recognised award for excellence and cleanliness, the Blue Flag.

The number is ten more than last year but cheering the loudest was the Isle of Wight with four beaches flying the Blue Flag for the first time ever.

Regional director Angela Howard of the charity Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS), who organise the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, was delighted.

She said: "The Blue Flag announcements is excellent news for the south east's tourism industry. It is so encouraging to see that three times as many beaches will fly the Blue Flag in the south east this year than in 2002.

"People assume that just because a beach is on the continent, it must be have clean water and be litter free.

"That just simply is not true. But now we have 15 beaches in the region that really are as good as the best in Europe."

A total of 105 resort beaches in the UK are allowed to fly the Blue Flag this year smashing last year's record of 83 and almost doubling the figure achieved in 2000.

The award is only presented to beaches that have water clean enough to pass the toughest tests set under European regulations and facilities including lifeguards, first aid and good access for disabled visitors.

Since it began back in 1987, the Blue Flag has become the international measure of resorts and recognised internationally.

It is considered the premier accolade in the coastal tourism industry across Europe.

Blue Flag winners across Europe are permitted to fly it during the bathing season and must display their winning criteria on easy to read signs at the beach.

Award winners are monitored regularly and if standards slip, the flag can be taken down.

According to a survey released by ENCAMS to back the Blue Flag, nine out of ten visitors believe that a clean beach is a safe one. Seven out of ten beach-goers thought banning dogs from beaches was also a good idea.

But it was not such good news for Britain's marinas with only 12 being awarded the Blue Flag compared to last year's 27.

The Blue Flag award winning beaches 2003 Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are Ryde East, Isle of Wight, Sandown, Isle of Wight, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, West Beachlands, central Hampshire and West Beachlands, south Hampshire.