The quality of beaches around England and Wales is steadily improving, according to new research by the Environment Agency.

But the study also found that many beaches still had problems with litter and sewage.

The Agency is asking young people to join a new campaign to monitor their local beaches in an effort to encourage them to take better care of them.

Beach litter is completely avoidable

Alistair McGowan Comedian

It carried out a snapshot survey of litter on beaches during 2001 and 2002

Most beaches (71%) were graded B or good in 2002, up from 66% in 2001.

However, a total of 68 beaches (14%) were graded A or very good in 2001, but only 52 (11%) beaches made the grade this year.

Blackpool 'fantastic'

Beaches in the North West showed the biggest turn around.

In 2001, no beaches in the area were given an A grade and 49% were graded C or fair.

But this year 29% won A grades, including Blackpool South and Blackpool Central, and 53% were graded B.

At the other end of the scale were Seascale in Cumbria, Plymouth Hoe East in Devon and Highcliffe in Dorset, which received grade D.

Environment Agency scientist Greg Brina said that overall, it was "good news".

"Sewage-related litter is much lower this year and that's testimony to the amount of investment that has been going in from the water industry.

"There are some fantastic beaches and every region has A-grade beaches."

Alistair McGowan is backing beach clean-up

He singled out the beaches at Blackpool for special praise.

"They're putting a lot of effort up there into keeping them nice and clean," he added.

TV impressionist Alistair McGowan is leading the Agency's BeachBeat campaign.

The idea is that children will record rubbish on beaches by looking at it rather than picking up dangerous litter like used syringes.

A beach database has been set up to collate the results.

Alistair McGowan said: "Beach litter is completely avoidable and we can all make a difference by supporting the BeachBeat campaign.

"We're calling on young people up and down the country to make a big impression down at their local beach during the summer holidays."

2002 Beaches by regions:

Anglian Region. Of 37 beaches, six beaches were graded A, 24 graded B, 5 graded C and 2 graded D.

North East Region. Of 55 beaches, seven beaches were graded A, 35 graded B, 7 graded C and 6 graded D.

North West Region. Of 34 beaches, 10 were graded A, 18 graded B, five graded C, and one graded D.

Southern Region. Of 79 beaches, seven beaches were graded A, 60 graded B, 8 graded C and 4 graded D.

South West Region. Of 187 beaches, 14 beaches were graded A, 135 graded B, 30 graded C and graded D.

Thames Region. Of five beaches, all five of the region's beaches were graded B.

Wales Region. Of 75 beaches in Wales, eight were graded A, 57 were graded B, 7 were graded C and 3 were graded D.