Pembrokeshire's beaches have scooped more Seaside Awards than any other county in Wales, it was announced last week. Thirty-three beaches will be able to fly the distinctive yellow and blue Seaside Award flag and plaque, which shows that they have attained at least the EU minimum legal standard of bathing water quality. Many will have achieved the much stricter guideline water standard. They will also have satisfied the judges that the standard of their infrastructure and overall management is also of the highest standard. Of the total number of awards announced for Pembrokeshire, 21 (a third of those awarded to the whole of Wales) were awarded to 'rural' beaches, which had to meet 13 strict criteria. The remaining 12 beaches were classified as the more popular 'resort' beaches, which had to meet 26 criteria. They included dog ban areas, arrangements for the disabled and a range of facilities aimed at enhancing visitor enjoyment. The awards are co-ordinated in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy. Chief executive Tegryn Jones said: "Local authorities and Welsh Water need to be congratulated for the investment they have made in improving both the quality of our coastal waters and the shore-based infrastructure required to achieve the coveted Seaside Award status." Clr. Rob Lewis, cabinet member for sport, leisure, tourism and cultural services, welcomed the awards as 'a fantastic accolade for Pembrokeshire's beaches'. "These awards are well deserved, and I would urge everyone to get out and enjoy our wonderful beaches," he said. The beaches which won are: Resort: Amroth; Saundersfoot; Tenby North; Tenby Castle; Tenby South; Lydstep; Dale; Newgale; Whitesands; Poppit Sands; and Broadhaven North. Rural: Newport Sands; St. Brides Haven; Sandy Haven; Pwll-Gwaelod; Penally; Nolton Haven; Martin's Haven; Marloes; Manorbier; Little Haven; Goodwick Sands; Gelliswick; Freshwater East; Cwm- yr-Eglwys; Coppet Hall; Caerfai; Broadhaven South; Barafundle Bay; West Angle Bay; Abereiddy; and Wisemans Bridge.