All of the 76 English beaches awarded Blue Flag status - and country has more than Brazil, Cyprus and Mexico

Trips to the Caribbean, Spain and Greece may be off-limits this summer, meaning England’s beaches are set for an influx of domestic tourists.

And the good news is that the country holds its own against holiday hotspots if the latest list of Blue Flag beaches are to go by.

Seventy-six beaches in England attained Blue Flag status which is awarded to beaches which meet safety and cleanliness standards.

The figure puts England ahead of Brazil, Cyprus and Mexico, and just short of Spain and Greece.

Scarborough, Margate Main Sands and Whitby are among the English beaches who earned the sought-after honour.

‘Relying on our beaches more than ever’

Allison Ogden-Newton, the chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, celebrated the high number of beaches awarded Blue Flag status

She said: "this year, more than ever, we are going to be relying on our country’s beautiful beaches to escape for a much-needed break after all the stresses and strains of the past year.

“Whether it’s camping in Cornwall, renting a cottage in North Yorkshire or simply having a day out at the seaside in Sussex, a fantastic beach is an essential part of a holiday for so many of us.

“From environmental education for the local community and ensuring responsible beach use, to cleaning regimes and an increasing number of recycling facilities, it is a full-time commitment to create beaches worthy of these awards.

“As we all plan our 2021 holidays much closer to home, thanks to the Blue Flag and Seaside Award those choosing to holiday at a destination with an award-winning beach can be assured it will be clean and safe and meet the highest standards for water quality and management.”

Full list of Blue Flag beaches in England

North West

Royal Albert Dock and Salthouse Dock Marina

East Midlands

Central Beach, Mablethorpe

Central Beach, Skegness

Central Beach, Sutton on Sea

Cleethorpes Central

East of England

Felixstowe South and Pier

Cromer

Sea Palling

Sheringham

Mundesley North

East Runton

West Runton

East Beach Shoeburyness

Shoebury Common

Thorpe Bay

Three Shells Beach

Westcliff Bay

Dovercourt Bay

Brightlingsea

Walton on the Naze Albion Beach

North East

Tynemouth Longsands North

King Edwards Bay North

Whitley Bay North

Roker

Seaburn

Saltburn by the Sea

Yorkshire & Humber

Hornsea

Scarborough North Bay

Whitby

South East

Brighton Central

Hove Lawns

Tankerton

Marina St Leonards

Hayling Island Beachlands

Sandown

Sheerness Beach

Leysdown Beach

Minster Leas

Minnis Bay

West Bay

St Mildreds

Margate Main Sands

Stone Bay

West Wittering Beach

South West

Blackpool Sands

Poole, Sandbanks Peninsular

Shore Road

Canford Cliffs

Branksome Chine

Alum Chine

Bournemouth Manor Steps

Durley Chine

Fisherman's Walk

Southbourne

Carbis Bay Carbis Bay Hotel Crooklets

Gyllyngvase

Porthmeor

Great Western

Polzeath

Porthtowan

Trevone Bay

Widemouth Bay

Sandy Bay

Exmouth

Sidmouth Town

Challaborough Bay

Swanage Central

Dawlish Warren

Teignmouth Town

Breakwater Beach

Broadsands

Meadfoot Beach

Oddicombe Beach

Preston Sands

Torre Abbey Sands

Westward Ho!

Weymouth Central