Llandudno beaches have returned to the Seaside Awards list

Criccieth West Beach joins the record number of Welsh entries in this year's yellow flag awards.

More Welsh beaches than ever met stringent standards for the 2003 awards which are organised by the Environmental Campaign (ENCAMS), previously known as Keep Britain Tidy.

Wales now has 103 award winning beaches - more than the English Riviera, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands put together.

Anglesey's yellow flag beaches Aberffraw, Traeth Mawr Beaumaris Benllech Cemaes Bay, Traeth Bach Cemaes Bay, Traeth Mawr Cemlyn Dulas, Traeth Lligwy Llanddona Llaneilian, Porth Eilian Llanfaelog,Cable Bay Llanfaelog, Porth Nobla Llanfaelog Porth Tyn Tywyn Llanfaethlu, Porth Trwyn Llanfwrog, Porth Tywyn Mawr Llanddwyn Moelfre Penmon Rhoscolyn, Borth Wen Rhoscolyn, Traeth Llydan Rhosneigr, Traeth Crigyll Rhosneigr, Traeth Llydan Rhydwyn, Porth Swtan St David's Red Wharf Bay Traeth Coch, Red Wharf Bay Trearddur Bay Trearddur Bay, Porth Dafarch

To win the yellow flag, beaches have to reach high standards.

Bathing water has to be up to EU minimum legal standards for cleanliness - this information and details of the facilities on offer at the beach, must be displayed for the public.

They must also pass strict tests on beach management, including providing first aid facilities, access for disabled visitors and sands that are free of litter and dog fouling.

More than a quarter of the Welsh haul went to Anglesey beaches

Following on from its yellow flag success, Criccieth is now set to gain a prestigious European blue flag for the first time in June.

Barry Davies, Gwynedd's Maritime Officer said: "Steps have been taken to improve management, supervision, information and dog control on the beach.

Conwy's yellow flag beaches Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea Kinmel Bay Llandudno, North Llandudno, West Llanfairfechan Old Colwyn Penmaenmawr Pensarn

"We have also increased cleanliness levels and provided better facilities for visitors.

"We hope Criccieth's eastern beach will join Fairbourne and Dinas Dinlle in gaining the European blue flag for the first time in June."

Llandudno North and West were among seven beaches that reappear on the list in Wales this year after being dropped in 2001.

Bob Gilchrist, National Director for Keep Wales Tidy, said he was in no doubt as to why Wales was leading the way with clean beaches.

Gwynedd's yellow flag beaches Aberdaron Aberdyfi Abersoch Barmouth Criccieth Criccieth West Dinas Dinlle Fairbourne Harlech Llanbedrog Llandanwg Pwllheli, Marian y De Traeth Benar, Morfa Dyffryn Tywyn

"People respond to carrot rather than stick and the Seaside Awards have given them a clear standard to aim at.

"There's also a lot at stake here - and if our 750 miles of coastline are not up to scratch that means loss of revenue and jobs.

"Thankfully, that's something our beach managers have recognised and have risen to the challenge of creating a clean coastline in style."

Mr Gilchrist added: "Since Victorian times when many of our resorts sprang up, Wales has become the place to be when you want to be beside the sea for people in the rest of the UK and beyond.