Only four beaches in Northern Ireland were recommended

Northern Ireland's beaches are getting worse, according to the findings of a UK report on bathing water quality.

Only four out of 27 beaches in the province were recommended by the report, which was published on Friday.

The Marine Conservation Society tests water quality throughout the UK on a regular basis.

It puts Northern Ireland at the bottom of the clean beach league.

The province used to be at the top with nine beaches being recommended last year.

BBC Northern Ireland environment correspondent Mike McKimm said the water quality problem was down to the amount of untreated or insufficiently treated sewage being discharged into the sea.

Across the UK, more than half of all beaches tested were recommended for their water quality.

The four recommended in Northern Ireland include Benone Strand in Magilligan, County Londonderry and the Whiterocks at Portrush in County Antrim.

Two beaches, Ballygally and Brown's Bay near Larne in County Antrim failed to meet even the minimum standards because of their bacterial content.