Forget fuel tax hikes..stay in the county this summer and enjoy our wonderful clean beaches.

Beaches in Thanet, in particular, were given more Blue Flag awards than anywhere else in the country this year.

Ten beaches received the prestigious award, which is only given to those with the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

The other two Kent beaches were Herne Bay and Tankerton in Whitstable.

Last year Thanet got seven Blue Flags. For the first time, Joss Bay in Broadstairs has achieved the accolade.

Ramsgate Main Sands has won its first Blue Flag since 2004, while Walpole Bay in Margate also gets an award for the first time since 2006.

Other beaches which will be flying the flag this summer are Botany Bay and Stone Bay in Broadstairs, Margate Main Sands, Minnis Bay in Birchington, St Mildred’s Bay and West Bay in Westgate and Westbrook Bay.

It’s the best performance by any one area in the country since 2000.

The Blue Flag scheme is administered by Keep Britain Tidy in England.