TWO Blue Flag beaches have had their status removed after water samples failed to meet the required top standards.
Samples taken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) at Fife's Leven Beach and Coldingham in the Scottish Borders failed the tests, despite both stretches having been awarded the Blue Flag by Keep Scotland Beautiful for the past three years.
The charity said some samples only narrowly missed its top standard – both beaches are still expected to meet mandatory standards of the EU Bathing Water Directive and so will continue to the Scottish Seaside Award flag.
It is thought that heavy rain may have caused higher than normal bacterial readings.
Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "While we are all bitterly disappointed that the Blue Flag has had to be withdrawn, we are pleased that both beaches will continue to be actively managed and that Seaside Award standards will be maintained.
"We would urge people to keep visiting the beaches, and to check the most recent water quality results on the information boards or online."
Blue Flags are withdrawn if more than two of 20 planned samples fail to meet Intestinal Enterococci standards during the sampling season between June and September.
Keep Scotland Beautiful said it is working with Sepa, Scottish Borders and Fife Council to identify the causes.
Ron Smith, environment convener at Scottish Borders Council, said: "It is highly likely that these failures can be attributed to the unusually heavy rainfall we have been experiencing over the past couple of months."
Tom Adams, Levenmouth Area Committee chairman said: "The water tests at Leven beach had been carried out at a time of recent heavy downpours, which may have caused higher than normal bacterial readings.
"However, the water quality is back to high standard now but the strict criteria for the Blue Flag award means we cannot fly the Blue Flag for the rest of the season. We hope to receive a Blue Flag for Leven Beach next year."
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