Several beaches in Norfolk have been named among the cleanest in the country after one spot was handed a 'brown flag'.

Robbie Lane from Holiday Park Guru gave Heacham beach a mock 'Brown Flag Award' as one of the 13 English beaches ranked the lowest for water quality by the Environment Agency. 

The body currently rates the water at Heacham as "poor" and advises people not to bathe in the waters.

But the research also recognised the Norfolk beaches rated the cleanest and safest for swimming.

Cromer, East Runton, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Sheringham and West Runton topped the list, being awarded three stars and rated "excellent".

Caister Point, Hemsby, Mundesley, Sea Palling and Wells fell into the second category with a "good" ranking and two stars.

Hunstanton received one star, being called "sufficient" for swimming, and Heacham was the only Norfolk spot with zero stars and a "poor label.

The reason for Heacham's poor water quality is debated by officials, with the Environment Agency insisting the exact cause of the pollution is unclear.

An Anglian Water spokeswoman denied this and provided a study which said waste from birds was causing contamination.

Overall, Norfolk's beaches came 14th for cleanliness across England.

Neighbouring Suffolk won bronze in third place behind Dorset and Devon.