BEACHES in Dorset have come out tops in a guide highlighting the best seaside spots in Britain.

Thirty-four county beaches were given the 'recommended' rating in the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide.

This year 427 of the 811 beaches monitored for water quality were given the thumbs up - representing a drop of 26 on last year.

Thomas Bell, society pollution officer, claimed the reduction could be partially due to bad weather.

He said: "The summer of 2004 was one of the wettest on record. The Met Office issued 100 flash weather warnings in August alone and the bigger storms always contribute to poor water quality. Fortunately, huge investment by the water companies in the sewage infrastructure over recent years offset the storm pollution effect and the overall picture is not as bad as expected, perhaps, five years ago."

Across the south west 147 of the 196 beaches monitored were recommended.

Just three beaches in the region failed - Combe Martin in Devon, Hele Beach in Devon and Church Beach near Lyme Regis. The Good Beach Guide is one of four beach award initiatives, but it is the only scheme focusing entirely on water quality and risk of pollution rather than beach management.

To be recommended, a beach must meet the guideline European water standard.

The guide is viewable online at www.goodbeachguide.co.uk

Alternatively send an A4 stamped addressed envelope with a 62p stamp to: MCS Good Beach Guide 2005, Marine Conservation Society, Unit 3 Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5NB.

n Nearby recommended beaches include: Charmouth West, Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock, Seatown, Eypemouth, West Bay West, Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle, Portland Harbour Castle Cove, Weymouth Lodmoor, Weymouth Central, Church Ope Cove, Bowleaze Cove, Ringstead Bay, Durdle Door West, Durdle Door East, Swanage Central, Studland Knoll House, Shell Bay North, Christchurch, Mudeford, Sandbanks East, Christchurch Avon Beach, Christchurch Friar's Cliff, Christchurch Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe.