A record 30 beaches and marinas won the prestigious recognition for cleanliness.

Despite a rash of similar beach awards so far this year, the latest is the key industry indicator on which tourists' intentions are pinned.

Blue Flags

Aberporth Abersoch Amroth Barmouth Borth Bracelet Bay Llandonna Llanddwyn Lydstep Newgale New Quay Cefn Sidan Poppit Sands Porthcawl Port Eynon Pwllheli St Davids Saundersfoot Tenby Castle Tenby North Tenby South Trearddur Bay Porth Dafarch Tresaith

Ten years ago, just 10 Welsh beaches were clean enough to win the continental honour.

Today, seven beaches have racked up a new Rural Blue Flag for high standards without the same levels of onshore infrastructure.

"There are positive signs that our tourism industry is recovering lost ground," said said Keep Wales Tidy director Bob Gilchrist - the litter organisation is administering the awards in Wales.

"Today's announcements will go a long way to demonstrate to the public that our beaches do compare with Europe's best."

Environment Minister Sue Essex was due to hoist Wales' first Blue Flag of the year at Rest Bay, Porthcawl, at 1000 BST.

But it comes as Conservative AM Alun Cairns hit out at Bristol Channel dredging companies' alleged plans to take inshore Welsh sand away.

He said firms warned they had earmarked 10 siets in south and west Wales if they are banned from dredging off the coast.

"The dredging companies refuse to accept the fact that their operations could be responsible for damage to our coastline and the loss of sand on our beaches," Mr Cairns said.

"Public opinion is heavily against dredging in the Bristol Channel so the dredging companies are putting out this false claim.

"But the Welsh public will not be blackmailed. It is not an either/or situation, there are other alternatives."