No beaches failed the minimum mandatory EC standard

The Marine Conservation Society has included eight beaches in this year's recommended list - which is based on tests of water quality and sewage discharges.

However, that is only about 30% of the total tested - meaning the majority of Northern Ireland's beaches are not recommended for bathing.

The society said no beaches failed the minimum mandatory EC standard, compared with two in 2003.

A spokesman said: "Northern Ireland still has a high number of inadequate preliminary and primary sewage treatment facilities, and a diffuse pollution strategy needs to be fully implemented.

"However, �505m of investment in wastewater infrastructure over the next three years should pay big dividends in upgraded treatment facilities, and result in a rise in the number of MCS recommended beaches."

Northern Ireland's recommended beaches are Benone and Portstewart strands in County Londonderry; Portrush's Whiterocks strand, Ballygally and Brown's Bay in County Antrim; and Crawfordsburn, Tyrella and Nicholson's Strand at Cranfield Point in County Down .

Thomas Bell of the Good Beach Guide said: "There has been a year on year improvement in coastal water quality, partly because the guide turns an annual spotlight on good and bad beaches.

"Fifty-six percent of all sampled bathing waters are recommended this year, which shows both how far we have come and the distance left to run."