TWO of Southend's beaches have lost their blue flags following spells of heavy rain this summer, it has been revealed.

Southend Council officials were told East Beach in Shoebury and Three Shells beach have been stripped of the accolade by Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the scheme.

It is thought storm waters washed surface run-off into the Thames Estuary, affecting the water quality when the 20 water samples were taken duing the bathing season between May and the end of September.

Derek Jarivs, cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: "We are in the lap of the gods when it comes to the bathing water quality monitoring regime.

“It’s a complete lottery and it’s very frustrating to go from having five blue flag beaches a couple of years ago to just one now.

“We lost our flags for Chalkwell and Jubilee beaches last year for the same reason – the vagaries of the weather – so this comes as a bitter blow.

“It should be stressed, however, that despite losing Blue Flag status Keep Britain Tidy acknowledge that it is still safe to swim off East Beach and Three Shells."

Full story in Thursday's Echo