Littlehaven beach South Shields ‘wins’ Brown Flag again

The not-so-coveted title is given to beaches rated “poor” by the Environment Agency due to high levels of bacteria, including e-coli, which may come from sewage, animal waste, and surface water runoff.

Sampling takes place between May 15 and September 30 each year.

The other North East beach to receive a Brown Flag for 2026 is Tynemouth Cullercoats in Tyne and Wear – both beaches also ‘won’ the award last year.

It is the second time Littlehaven has entered the so-called ‘top of the plops’ rankings.

The award is part of the Brown Flag Awards, created by Holiday Park Guru using Environment Agency data, and highlights the beaches with the lowest water quality ratings.

A Holiday Park Guru spokesperson said: “Swimming in the sea is a high priority for us on holiday – but I want to be the only thing floating.

“And so, in an effort to highlight England’s beaches that you might want to avoid… we are proud to present the third ever Holiday Park Guru Brown Flag Awards.

“It’s the Oscars of the sewage world.

“We’ve spent hours analysing official Environment Agency water quality data to select the ‘winners.’

We have even offered to send tasteful brown flags to the worst beaches, so they can warn swimmers.”

What is being done about it?

South Tyneside Council confirmed efforts were ongoing to improve water quality at the affected locations.

The Environment Agency bases its ratings on around 7,000 water samples from more than 400 designated bathing sites across England, collected over a four-year period.

The system uses a four-tier scale: three stars (excellent), two stars (good), one star (sufficient), and zero stars (poor).

Currently, 67 per cent of England’s bathing waters hold a three-star rating, while just five per cent score zero.

Tests measure levels of faecal bacteria, including intestinal enterococci and e-coli, which can indicate contamination from sewage, agricultural runoff, wildlife, and road drainage.

The Brown Flag Awards aim to warn the public about beaches where water quality falls below acceptable standards.