Water quality at Northern Irish beaches 'not up to standard'

Two of Northern Ireland's most popular beaches have failed a water quality test because of pollution.

Portrush Curran East Strand did not meet the stringent requirements under the European Bathing Water Directive.

A serious pollution incident was cited as the reason why the beach failed to achieve blue-flag status and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency intends to bring a prosecution over the matter.

Salmon Rock beach in Portballintrae also failed to meet European standards as a result of problems with the local sewer network.

However, 11 of Northern Ireland's other bathing waters hit the target. This is an improvement over 2008, when water quality at only ten of the country's 24 beaches was labelled "excellent".

Edwin Poots, environment minister, said that the overall results were encouraging, especially when the wet summer was taken into account.

He stressed that the agency was investing heavily in upgrading sewerage systems and encouraging farmers to improve their slurry storage and handling operations.

Mr Poots added: "We have a wonderful coastline and great bathing waters which deserve high levels of protection."

Beaches which passed the water quality tests include Castlerock, Benone, Ballycastle and Tyrella.

Posted by Lauren Steadman