HAMPSHIRE'S magnificent seven marinas have achieved coveted "Blue Flag" status for the fourth year in succession.
The marinas were awarded Europe's highest honour for cleanliness and management after passing stringent checks on water quality, cleanliness and health and safety.
The seven, most of which are on the Solent coastline, represent the largest total any English county has achieved.
The seven marinas are Hamble Point Marina, Hythe Marina Village, Mercury Yacht Harbour, Northney Marina, Port Hamble Marina, Ocean Village Marina and Shamrock Quay.
This year, a record 83 beaches in the UK will be proudly displaying their new blue flags.
Alan Woods, chief executive of Environmental Campaigns (Encams), which organises the Blue Flag campaign in Britain, said: "This is superb news for Britain and the two million people working in tourism, especially after the setbacks to the industry caused by September 11 and last year's foot-and-mouth crisis.
"It also builds on the results released recently by the Environment Agency, that showed that 397 beaches in England have water that is clean enough to pass European law."
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