BLACKPOOL'S beaches have been snubbed yet again by a national guide because of the poor quality of bathing water.

But, say environmental experts, this could be the last year because there are already signs of an improvement in quality.

This year the resort's beaches have failed to reach minimum water quality standards, according to a beach guide published by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) yet again.

The Good Beach Guide 2000 has revealed that Blackpool beach cannot make the grade and the sea water is considered a health hazard to those who choose to bathe in it.

Kate Hutchinson, a coastal pollution officer for the MCS, says: "Blackpool sea contains dangerous water-related bacteria which pose a health threat to the public."

The Good Beach Guide 2000 provides information on water quality and sewage discharges at more than 1,000 UK beaches, but the guide only recommends those that the MCS consider to be free from sewage contamination. For a beach to be recommended in The Good Beach Guide it has to pass the lowest EC mandatory standards as well as passing even stricter EC "guideline" standards, which are 20 times higher.

The overall responsibility for the quality of bathing water lies with the Environment Agency, which looks at sewage discharges and regulates the quality of water on UK beaches.

A spokesman for the agency said: "It is a bit of a mystery as to why the sea water in Blackpool contains too many bacteria to pass the mandatory standards.

"The agency is committed into research to determine the causes of the poor test results of Blackpool sea water.

"Last year saw North West Water invest in new storm sewage drains and now no raw sewage is pumped into the sea except in the circumstance of extreme weather.

"But so far this year, the results taken have been very encouraging with the majority of samples complying with the guideline standard and some examples of extremely good quality water.

"We try not to build up people's hopes, but if this standard continues Blackpool could make the guide next year."

Kate Hutchinson says: "Hopefully the major investment will rectify the situation and we look forward to recommending Blackpool beach in the future."