The millions of holidaymakers that stay at home each year can now enjoy a record number of clean bathing spots according to the Environment Agency.

For the sixth year running, a record number of bathing spots across England and Wales are clean enough to meet tough European requirements. More than 80 per cent of them now meet the highest EU standard (guideline) with almost 99 per cent meeting the lesser mandatory grade.

Last year, our own shores proved popular with domestic, overseas and celebrity holidaymakers alike. Jamie Oliver, Hugh Grant, Pierce Brosnan, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Winslet, Kelly Brook, Prince William and Nicole Kidman were all spotted on beaches in Cornwall, Devon and Kent.

Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency said: "These results are good news for everyone concerned. It’s good news for the environment, it’s good news for the British tourist industry and it’s good news for people who like to go to the beach.”

But Ms Young said there was more work to be done and the agency had targeted 19 places they would like water companies to improve further.

"Tourists in England and Wales spend around £30 billion every year, clean beaches are an important part of that industry so it’s important that we keep up the progress made in recent years and don’t get complacent,” she said.

You don’t even need to go to the coast to enjoy clean bathing spots – fun-seekers in London can visit the ponds in Hampstead Heath and the Serpentine in Hyde Park and swimmers in the north west can choose from a number of spots on Windermere, which have all made the grade.

People can find out how clean their local or favourite bathing water is by visiting the website section - Whats In Your Backyard