Let's avoid an emptyseafront flag pole

Shirley Hardy has asked the town's chamber of commerce to urge local councils to compensate for the loss of the Blue Flag.

The European-wide symbol of clean bathing water has been stripped from the town after six consecutive years '“ and seven in all '“ because last summer saw the sea fail the cleanliness standard.

But Mrs Hardy, a seafront business owner, said an alternative beach award should be sought for Bognor to make up for the lack of the Blue Flag.

'We just can't have an empty flag pole. People aren't silly. They will realise why that's the case. We have to press Bognor and Arun councils to look into these other flags. We must qualify for one of them.

'I know it takes a lot of forms and costs money to enter for the awards. But I think it will be time and money well spent,' she explained.

Nick Stuart-Nicolson, the chamber's chairman and president, said: 'We are concerned that the Blue Flag has been lost and we hope that other flags will be found to take its place.'

Committee member Ian Harding commented: 'The new flags will act as a temporary stop gap.

'Hopefully, we will get the Blue Flag back next year. So, it would not be lost for long.'

The Quality Coast Awards are a countrywide scheme which has 100 criteria to reflect the diverse qualities of different beaches and the enjoyment which people get from them.

They are organised by the Encams charity which administers the Blue Flag in Britain.