The number of Kent beaches awarded an acclaimed Blue Flag has been slashed this year as sewage discharges continue to plague the shores.

Thanet’s Margate Main Sands and Stone Bay missed out on the accolade this year, as did the Leas in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey.

It brings the total number of Blue Flag beaches to six following the latest round of inspections – compared to nine last year.

Keep Britain Tidy hands Blue Flags to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

Tankerton in Whitstable, Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey and St Mildred’s Bay, Minnis Bay, Joss Bay and Botany Bay in Thanet are the six Kent bathing waters to be crowned.

Activists remain unhappy with the way sewage continues to flow out to the Kent coastline – and have called for more water quality testing to hold authority to account.

A spokesman for SOS Whitstable told KentOnline: “Of course it's hugely disappointing to see the spills increasing year-on-year, and it's especially worrying when you consider the new housing developments and continuing climate change forecasts that are yet to come.

“Bathing season starts today, which means the Environment Agency will now be testing the water every two weeks until September.

“However, with so many people using the water year-round, we would like to see more regular testing throughout the whole year, so get a really clear picture of the state of the water here, rather than just a snapshot over the Summer months.

“We will keep fighting until we see some real improvements along our coastline.”

Sadly, there have been high profile cases of poor water quality and sewage reports throughout much of the county.

Do-not-swim warnings at Littlestone and St Mary’s Bay on the Romney Marsh have been in place for 16 months after high levels of a bacterium that indicates the presence of human faeces were discovered.

Southern Water’s sewer pipe burst in Bishopstone, in Beltinge, leading to sewage flowing into Bishopstone Glen in March this year.

And sewage overflow released onto beaches across Sheppey were labelled a “total disgrace” by those living near the coast in August last year.

Despite the county’s well-documented sewage issues, the number of beaches handed a Seaside Award – which focusses on the whole beach rather than just water quality – has risen from 12 last year to 18.

Coastlines in Swale, Thanet, Folkestone, Herne Bay and Whitstable have all been honoured.

Thanet District Council proudly accounts for helping to maintain two-thirds of Kent’s Blue Flags and 11 out of 18 Seaside Awards.

Cllr Steve Albon, TDC’s cabinet member for cleansing and coastal services, said: “We’re very proud of our four Blue Flags and twelve Seaside Awards.

“Keeping up the high standards of our beaches requires a good deal of work, not just in the summer months, but all year round.

“Local people, as well as visitors, are drawn to Thanet’s fabulous beaches and they expect our 19 miles of coastline to be well-maintained and safe. We continue to strive to achieve the best possible standards for all our beaches.

“I would like to thank all of the council officers, partners, businesses, volunteers and residents, who work hard at keeping our beaches as clean and enjoyable as possible. These internationally-recognised awards would not be possible without their continued dedication.

“We are proud that whichever part of Thanet’s coastline you choose to visit you can find a well-managed award-winning beach.”

The following beaches have been given the Seaside Award – a gong presented to the best beaches in England;

Herne Bay Central - Canterbury City Council

Dymchurch Beach - Dymchurch Parish Council

Leysdown - Swale Borough Council

Minster Leas - Swale Borough Council

Louisa Bay - Thanet District Council

Walpole Bay - Thanet District Council

Westbrook Bay - Thanet District Council

Stone Bay - Thanet District Council

Margate Main Sands - Thanet District Council

Viking Bay - Thanet District Council

Ramsgate Main Sands - Thanet District Council

West Bay - Thanet District Council

Tankerton - Canterbury City Council

Sheerness - Swale Borough Council

St Mildred's Bay - Thanet District Council

Minnis Bay - Thanet District Council

Joss Bay - Thanet District Council

Botany Bay - Thanet District Council