The downgrading of the water quality at three north Norfolk beaches has sparked concern over sewage.

The Environment Agency has changed the rating of East Runton, Mundesley and Sea Palling beaches from ‘excellent’ to ‘good’ meaning they will not be eligible for Blue Flag status in 2023.

North Norfolk District Council leader Tim Adams said at this week’s full council meeting that everyone was “rightly concerned” about the loss of the Blue Flags.

Mr Adams said: “We are to urgently meet with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water in the new year, however, I am concerned that people are right to draw some of the conclusions that they have about sewage having been a factor. 

“We will be doing everything we can to win back those Blue Flags.”

Councillor Nigel Pearce noted that the downgrading meant North Norfolk had gone from having 10pc of Blue Flag beaches in the country, to just 5pc.

The district’s other Blue Flag beaches - Cromer, Sheringham and West Runton - should be able to retain their status as their water quality is still classed as excellent. 

Councillor Virginia Gay, NNDC’s leisure, well-being and culture portfolio holder, said: “The situation is extremely regrettable and is beyond NNDC’s powers - the quality of the water in the North Sea.  

“We do everything we can for our beaches and we will be doing our best to find out what has happened, and lobby the people that need to be lobbied to remedy this situation as soon as possible.”

Blue Flag status needs to be applied for each year, and the deadline for applications for 2023 is January 6. 

It is an international award, which in this country is conferred by Keep Britain Tidy.

Ms Gay said North Norfolk had held Blue Flag status for its beaches for the past 17 or 18 years. One beach had once lost its Blue Flag, but regained it the following year.

The Environment Agency told this newspaper: “We are currently investigating with partners why the bathing water classification has changed from excellent to good at Mundesley, Sea Palling and East Runton.”