WEST Mersea beach has been added to the Marine Conservation Society’s good beach guide.

The charity has recommended the beach due to the high quality of the bathing water.

Colchester Council has replaced concrete pontoons with metal versions, carried out regular litter picking and raised the quay in Coast Road over the past five years.

Martin Hunt , councillor responsible for street and waste services, said “It is a much-loved and much-used area and I’m delighted the beach has been accredited by the Marine Conservation Society in this way.”