EVERY beach in Kent has met European standards on bathing water quality, it has been announced.

Southern Water says this shows the benefit of its multi-million pound environmental improvement programme along the South coast.

A further 23 of the 27 seaside spots also showed Blue Flag water quality - achieving the highest “excellent” standard - which is 20 times tougher than the “good” standard needed to pass annual tests.

Throughout the summer the Environment Agency sampled the bathing waters at beaches in Kent from Dymchurch to Gravesend.

The results of the weekly tests showed all the bathing waters met the European mandatory or “good” standard with 85 per cent hitting the guideline or “excellent” standard.

Across the Southern Water region, all 79 beaches passed the Bathing Water Directive standards with 82 per cent meeting the “excellent” standard, good enough to qualify for a Blue Flag.

John Spence, Southern Water’s wastewater and Environmental strategy manager, said: “The results show the benefits of our continuing treatment improvement programme that has vastly improved the quality of water we recycle off our 776 miles of coastline.

“A record number of beaches in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were rated excellent so we are delighted. We are especially pleased because this is a huge improvement on the 69 per cent of beaches which made the “excellent” grade last year.

“But we must remember there are still many factors outside Southern Water’s control which can affect bathing water quality; rainwater running off roads and streets, discharges from boats or even animals on the beach.”

The Environment Agency’s regional director Howard Davidson said: "Bathing waters in the South have improved dramatically over the last few years so it is fantastic news that the results from our monitoring this summer are so positive.

“We work hard throughout the year to ensure our beaches are clean, safe and a better place for everyone to enjoy. We will continue to work with Southern Water to ensure that investment continues and the quality of our beaches in Kent is maintained.”

If a bathing water meets the higher ‘guideline’ standard, it does not automatically mean it will receive a Blue Flag. There are more than 20 other criteria unconnected with water, including disabled access, educational information, provision of toilet facilities and lifeguards, which the beach must also meet.