For the second year running, 148 monitored bathing beaches in Devon and Cornwall have broken records for water quality standards.

Most beaches met the highest international standards for water quality cleanliness where we bathe.

The Environment Agency said there had been “relatively few” reports of pollution.

There have been regular complaints this year about discharges of sewage off the coast.

Bruce Newport, Devon and Cornwall area environment manager  for the Environment Agency, said: “Our beaches are 100 per cent compliant, so now the challenge is to work collaboratively with everyone to keep our healthy waters in an excellent state for people to enjoy.

“Our coastline is an incredible natural feature.

“We have had relatively few reports of pollution on our beaches this summer which is a credit to everyone maintaining and improving our bathing waters.

“We would like to say thank you to those groups, communities and businesses which have gone above and beyond to keep pollution out of our water ways.

“Bathers and surfers are using our online Swimfo app to make decisions on where to go for the best places to bathe in the summer.

“Just by looking at Swimfo on your mobile you can get up to date information on the water quality of many of our bathing beaches.”

This year nine beaches in Devon and Cornwall have improved their bathing water classification, while  four beaches have deteriorated, including Cornwall’s  Readymoney Cove, Porthminster and Swanpool.

Those improving from “good” to “excellent” are Little Perhaver at Gorran Haven, Pendower, Portwrinkle and Porthcurnick, while improving from “sufficient” to “good” is Par Sands.

Where foul water is wrongly connected to drains leading to beaches, poor quality normally follows – this year wrong connections have been identified, fixed and Mr Newport said the Environment Agency continues to work with South West Water with this important work.

Scientists have used analytical tests to home in on pollution sources resulting in working with farmers to resolve potential pollution issues.

The Agency is committed to doing more in 2023, said Mr Newport.

In Cornwall, Par Sands’ improvement was said to be the result of “a collaborative effect by the Environment Agency with local people”.

Measures have included extensive monitoring in the catchment, investigating potential sources of pollution and ensuring problems causing pollution have stopped.