THE iconic Fistral Beach in Newquay has been named as one of the cleanliest in the country for those who enjoy a swim.

A recent study by Waste collection company Clear It Waste found that out of the 419 UK beaches analysed Fistral South is the best beach for swimmers, with an overall water cleanliness score of 9.99 out of 10.

The study examined the beaches across the UK between 2018 to 2024, looking at various factors relating to the water surrounding them, including suspension due to sewage, the average Intestinal Enterococci count, E. faecalis, and the Escherichia coli count, E. coli.

The study then determined an overall water cleanliness score out of 10.

But water quality campaign group Surfers Against Sewage paint a different story stating sewage has been regularly pumped into Fistral Beach, “one of our countries most iconic stretches of sand, home of English surfing and one of the most popular tourist beaches in the UK.”

A spokesperson for Surfers Against Sewage said: “It is incredible to think that South West Water discharged sewage at Fistral for over 134 hours in 2023, that's over five and a half days of discharges.

“If you're as sick of this as we are, we have an opportunity this year to influence real change with a general election and a powerful and angry public behind us.

“As we did in the 1990s, we're ready to take this moment to hold water companies, regulators and the government to account.”