Nearly all of Kent's beaches have been praised for their excellent water quality in the new Good Beach Guide.

Just five of our 31 beaches fell short following tests.

Those that achieved just the 'mandatory' levels awarded by the Marine Conservation Society were Littlestone; St Mary's Bay; Viking Bay in Broadstars and Walpole Bay in Margate.

The Bay at Margate achieved the next highest quality level of 'guideline'.

Those awarded the highest water quality standard of 'recommended' were: Greatstone; Dymchurch; Hythe; Sandgate; Folkestone; Dover Harbour; St Margaret's Bay; Deal Castle; Sandwich Bay; Ramsgate Western Undercliffe; Ramsgate Sands; Stone Bay in Broadstars; Joss Bay in Broadstairs; Botany Bay in Broadstairs; Margate Fulsam Rock; Westbrooke Bay in Margate; St Mildred's Bay in Westgate; West Bay in Westgate; Minnis Bay in Birchington; Herne Bay; Herne Bay Central; Tankerton; West Beach; Whitstable; Leysdown; Minster Leas and Sheerness.

The good results are thanks to last summer being the driest in a decade, with 135 more beaches across the country as a whole being recommended than the previous year.

MCS coastal pollution officer, Rachel Wyatt, said she hoped the latest figures would boost tourism after several previously wet summers, which led to a drop in bathing water quality due to overloaded sewers.

She said: "It's great news that we are able to recommend more beaches than ever for excellent water quality, and it shows just how good British beaches can be.

"The main challenge now is maintaining these standards."

Stories you might have missed

Victim turns detective to catch robber

Tree that crushed party bus 'will kill someone'

Bus hits grass bank at busy station

Memories of Hillsborough disaster 25 years on