COUNCIL bosses have hit back at a “damaging” study which has ranked two of Southend’s beaches among the “dirtiest” in the UK.

A study ranking the most unhygienic beaches in the country - based on water quality and E.coli levels - placed both Three Shells Beach and Westcliff beach among the top ten.

However, Southend Council has hit back at the study, by Cartridge Save, stating it is “damaging” and that there is “no evidence” for these results.

It also highlighted that both beaches boast Blue Flag awards - recognising excellent water quality.

Stunning - Westcliff Bay BeachStunning - Westcliff Bay Beach (Image: Kathryn Wilkins) Despite the council’s defence of the beaches, Three Shells beach has recently come under fire for its lagoon with Adventure Island boss Philip Miller branding it a “stinking pool of green slime”.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, said: “We take the water quality of our beaches seriously, but this seems to be a baseless and damaging survey by a print cartridge company with no evidence or basis for these supposed results.

“There is nothing showing how tests have been conducted and it is therefore surprising and disappointing to see the national media just taking it at face value and damaging the reputation of various seaside areas by repeating them with no context or reference to the official water quality regime.”

According to the study, Three Shells Beach was given an overall water cleanliness score of 7.22 out of ten and ranked the “seventh dirtiest”.

Westcliff Bay was given just 2.16 out of ten and ranked the “second dirtiest” in the UK.

Concern - Lagoon at the Three Shells BeachConcern - Lagoon at the Three Shells Beach (Image: Philip Miller)

Mr Cowan added: “We will stick to the official and regular water quality results carried out by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season.

“These consider many tests, data, and readings and show that Westcliff Bay and Three Shells have excellent water quality according to the strict and international criteria and have therefore been awarded Blue Flags.

“Despite our blue flag and seaside awards, we remain vigilant and continue to work with, and support the work that Anglian Water are doing on their bathing water quality investigations.

“If we find evidence of poor water quality we will take the strongest course of action we can.”

Cartridge Save has been contacted for comment.