BEACHES in Dunster and Blue Anchor have helped Somerset to keep its title as one of the worst places in England to swim in the sea.

Both beaches were again ‘winners’ in the third annual Brown Flag Awards, which act as a warning for bathers.

The flags carry a poo emoji and are handed out by the online travel website Holidayparkguru.co.uk.

In total, 15 beaches in England were given Brown Flags for 2026, a slight drop on last year when 19 beaches were ‘top of the plops’.

Dunster Beach and Blue Anchor hold the record of a hat-trick of the unwanted awards, along with Weston super Mare.

The awards are based on Environment Agency water quality data for England.

Keen sea-swimmer Robbie Lane, from holidayparkguru.co.uk, said: “As we saw on the television programme ‘Dirty Business’, some of England’s beaches are in an appalling state and are deserving of brown flags to warn swimmers.

“For Somerset, I am afraid its performance is best described as excrement rather than excellent this year.

“One in five of the Brown Flags for 2026 have gone to Somerset.

“The message for anybody planning a swim in the sea this summer is simple, do your research first.”

Across England as a whole, 68 per cent of beaches were rated ‘excellent’ for water quality, a slight improvement on last year’s figure of 66.5 per cent.

But, at the current rate of progress, it would take until 2047 for every beach in England to reach the top standard.

Water quality is measured by the Environment Agency from May to September based on levels of bacteria such as E.coli, which can come from sewage, livestock, wildlife, and surface water run-off.

The awards take place each year to coincide with the May Bank Holiday, when many families head to the seaside.