THREE beaches on Yorkshire's east coast were today named in the top ten of UK resorts, and eight have been given prestigious accolades for their clean sands and water.

The beaches at Filey, Scarborough North and South Bridlington have come joint second out of 171 beaches across the country in a survey by Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS). Each scored 96 out of 100 points.

Cayton Bay, Filey, Robin Hood's Bay, Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Scarborough North Bay, Scarbor-ough South Bay and Whitby West Cliff beaches have all received a Seaside Award.

The awards are presented to resorts and rural beaches that are well managed, have showers and a lifeguard, and enforce a seasonal dog ban.

Bathing water quality is tested by the Environment Agency, and only those beaches that have passed the EU minimum legal standards can fly the Seaside Award flag.

This year Staithes missed out because of poor water quality. The best beach was Bournemouth Pier South, with 99 points.

Coun David Jeffels, Scarborough Borough Council's cabinet member for tourism, leisure and community services, said he was delighted that Scarborough North Bay and Filey would be able to fly the yellow and blue award flag.

"This is excellent news, particularly coming as it does right at the start of our holiday season," said Coun Jeffels.

"Easter is traditionally the curtain-raiser for our main summer season, and to have all our resort beaches in this list and two in the top ten is a marvellous achievement.

"It is well deserved too, as we attach great importance to the quality of our beaches and to ensuring they provide a high quality and safe environment for our holidaymaking families."

Mo Metcalfe, owner of the Royal Hotel in Runswick Bay, said: "Runswick Bay does actually have a fantastic beach which is totally unspoilt. It is a hidden treasure, and I'm sure that anyone who knows it will not be at all surprised that it has won this award."

Andrew Osborne, regional director of ENCAMS, said: "I would like to see time and money invested in making Yorkshire and Humber's seaside towns as clean and safe as the beaches."

Updated: 10:41 Thursday, April 08, 2004