TWO beaches have lost their place in the Good Beach Guide. But all those considered met mandatory EU standards.

Last year, five made it into the Marine Conservation Society’s publication, which bases its recommendations on water standards and sewage levels.

Pembroke, which one user labelled an eyesore, and Portelet both lost their status.

Port Soif and L’Eree retained a place in the pocket-sized guide and Vazon re-entered after a year’s absence.

‘We are of course disappointed that we lost two beaches from the guide,’ said an Environment Department spokesman.

‘However, we would emphasise the fact that the 13 beaches tested all passed the EC Bathing Water Directive mandatory standard, which is the legal requirement.’

The spokesman added that five passed the more stringent EC guideline standard.

‘We’d like to reassure the public that our seawater does continue to maintain high bathing standards and quality.’

Because of requirements of the guide, which excludes beaches within five kilometres of a sewage outfall, some cannot be considered.

The MCS recommended the highest-ever number of beaches across the British Isles.

‘There has been a year on year improvement in coastal water quality, partly because the guide turns an annual spotlight on good and bad beaches,’ said MCS good beach officer Thomas Bell.

‘I wouldn’t jump in the sea without consulting the guide first.’

The EC Bathing Water Directive sets two standards against which quality is measured: the mandatory and the guideline, the latter of which is 20 times more stringent.

It stipulates the maximum level of sewage-derived bacteria that may be present in seawater in bathing areas.

In addition to losing its place, Pembroke’s appearance has also come in for criticism.

Regular user 72-year-old Alec Le Billon branded the entrance and area surrounding the beach a ‘disgrace’.

He pointed to the burnt-out shed near the slipway, the sea walls blackened by fires started by vandals and the German bunker that has been broken into.

‘Who cares about blue flags when the place is an eyesore,’ he said.

Earlier this year, eight local beaches received Encams seaside awards and will fly a distinctive blue-and-yellow flag.

The latest Beachwatch report, also produced by the MCS, showed the island to have some of the cleanest beaches in Britain when assessed for litter.