Beaches across the North East have been praised

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) tested the water quality of 35 beaches in the region, and failed just three including Spittal in Northumberland.

Only one failed last year and testers blamed pollution from heavy rain.

Ten beaches received the highest accolade, including Stray in Redcar, Teesside, and five were "good" including Whitburn North on Wearside.

Seventeen beaches received the standard pass rating including Whitburn South in Sunderland, Gare in Hartlepool, Tynemouth in North Tyneside and Newbiggin North and South beaches in Northumberland.

'Flash weather'

The other two to fail were Crimdon Park in Durham and a stretch of Druridge Bay in Northumberland. Last year Grangetown in Sunderland failed, but this year it was not tested.

Thomas Bell MCS, coastal pollution officer, said: "The summer of 2004 was one of the wettest on record.

"The Met Office issued 100 flash weather warnings alone and big storms produced poor quality water.

"Fortunately huge investment by the water firms in sewage infrastructure over recent years offset the pollution effect and the overall picture is not as bad as might have been expected five years ago."