Eleven Kent beaches have been presented with Blue Flag awards, however concerned activists believe they could become “brown flag” beaches due to frequent pollution.

Shores in Thanet, Whitstable and the Isle of Sheppey have been handed the coveted “internationally-recognised” accolade, which looks at criteria such as water quality, litter and safety.

Thanet-based campaigner Ian Driver is “delighted” his area has been chosen, but “it doesn’t take away from the fact that the waters are being polluted”.

The 66-year-old told KentOnline: “I think they will become brown flag beaches with the way Southern Water treats them.

“It won’t take a lot for pollution to spoil the awards and frighten people from using the beaches.

“Its a great accolade but they are in a very risky position nevertheless.”

The activist added: “I’m hoping desperately that there will be no more sewage overflows now the shores have been internationally recognised.”

In Thanet, Minnis Bay, St. Mildred’s Bay, Margate Main Sands, Botany Bay, Joss Bay and Stone Bay have all been given the Blue Flag title.

The district was also given four Seaside Awards, which are given to English beaches to celebrate the diversity of the coastline.

West Bay in Margate has lost it’s flag from last year.

On the Isle of Sheppey, Leysdown-on-Sea, Sheerness and Minster-Leas have been praised, while in Whitstable, Tankerton beach has been handed impressive status.

In September 2022, Tankerton beach was delivered with its second ‘no swimming’ warning in two months after concerns over pollution.

The previous month, bathers in Sheerness and Leysdown-on-Sea beaches were also told not to venture into the water due to storm overflows.

Chris Reed is a Sheerness town councillor and keen swimmer in the Isle of Sheppey, and she thinks her local beach - Sheerness - is deserving of its award.

The 70-year-old said: “I’m absolutely delighted that they have been awarded, I’ve out on my paddle board this morning and noticed the blue flag was flying.

“Really hope that there isn't a problem with the sewage, but don't see how we would have got a blue flag if there was.

“The town council put out buoys in front of the lifeguard station to make it a safe area, and got rid of the rocks and sharp objects.”

Thanet has the majority of Blue Flag shorelines in Kent, a feat which has taken “continued dedication and hard work” according to the council’s director of environment Mike Humber.

He stated: “We’re very proud of our six Blue Flags and four Seaside Awards.

“Work takes place all year round to maintain our 19 miles of coastline to the high standards that our residents and visitors have come to expect, and we will continue to strive to achieve the best possible standards for our beaches.

“These internationally-recognised awards can only be achieved with the continued dedication and hard work of council officers, partners, businesses, volunteers and residents, who all play a role in helping to keep our beaches as clean and enjoyable as possible.

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

Southern Water have also shared their delight at the coastal prizes, and has assured that they are working hard to reduce storm overflows across the board.

A spokesman for the water company said: “We’re delighted that beaches in the Kent area have been awarded blue flags and it is testament to the hard work of many organisations that help look after beaches, volunteers who help clean up litter and especially the council which provides facilities for visitors.

“Water quality is an important part of Blue Flag status and we’re pleased independent scientific testing and monitoring by the Environment Agency has confirmed the health of these waters.

“We understand the concerns about storm overflows which is why we’re working hard to reduce these and also play our part in improving the standard of bathing waters.

“This includes an industry-leading approach to reducing the use of storm overflows when increased surface and groundwater enter our sewers

“We are also improving Beachbuoy, our near real-time information on storm overflow activity along a coastline.”