Bathing water quality in Salcombe has been highlighted in a nationwide survey carried out by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).

North Sands earned the top "recommended" standard in the MCS 2008 Good Beach Guide.

This accolade is the group's highest water quality standard and is given to those beaches which show good treatment of sewage discharges.

South Sands, meanwhile, was awarded a "Basic Pass", which is given to beaches who pass EC mandatory standards for water quality.

The total number of South West beaches with excellent water quality dropped by 10 per cent in this year's Good Beach Guide, the biggest fall for some 21 years.

Of 192 beaches tested, 139 received a top rating, compared with 155 last year.

The latest bathing water tests, conducted from May to September 2007, coincided with what was thought to be the wettest British summer on record.

MCS blames the drop in water quality largely on an increase in storm related pollution caused by the wet weather.