beaches at Sidmouth and Beer are rated as “good” in a new book of recommended bathing spots by the Marine Conservation Society.

They are among 44 beaches in Devon to appear in the 2012 Good Beach Guide which makes its recommendations based on water quality.

Five hundred and sixteen of 754 UK bathing beaches tested last summer were said to have “excellent water quality”.

However, the picture around the UK is variable and while water quality as a whole is improving, in Scotland only 45 of 110 bathing beaches were recommended.

Branscombe is not a “designated bathing beach” and so does not appear in the guide.