FOR the eighth year in succession one of Flintshire's most popular beaches has won a top award. Managers of Talacre Beach were celebrating after it received the Tidy Britain Group Rural Beach Yellow Flag accolade. The beach is jointly managed by Flintshire County Council, the landowners BHP, the Environment Agency and the community council and local businesses. To qualify for the award beaches are assessed on water quality and a number of land-based criteria including cleanliness. "Talacre Beach is a wonderful place to visit and we will be working hard to retain this coveted award for years to come," said Coun Meirion Matthews, Flintshire's executive member for transportation, planning and the environment. "I am very pleased at this award which reflects the considered and caring manner in which Talacre Beach has been managed for many years by the council and its partners. "This has ensured the beach stays as popular as ever with visitors." News of Talacre's success is in stark contrast to beaches in Rhyl and Prestatyn which recently failed water tests. The Environment Agency carried out 20 tests at both beaches over a year to check levels of bacteria, acidity and water transparency. Both Rhyl and Prestatyn failed on too many faecal coliforms - bacteria that feed on sewage. Of the 20 tests - which are carried out at 75 coastal points in Wales - one failure is allowed to pass the I standard and no fails pass the G standard. Rhyl failed the faecal coliform test five times and Prestatyn twice. Community leaders in the area were stunned at the news and have demanded answers on how such failures were allowed to happen. Welsh Water is working closely with the EA to find the precise causes of the problems and come up with solutions to ensure the beaches pass future tests. | 
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