SWIMMERS planning a dip in the sea should ignore Morecambe and head for neighbouring Blackpool.

That's the advice from a new guide published by the Marine Conservation Society.

But environmental health chiefs claim that official standards measured by the environment agency show the local beaches are rated 'good' and safe for bathing.

The Good Beach Guide 2002 recognise improvements in two of Morecambe's three monitoring points,

However, the society advises swimmers only to use the four beaches in the North West which it recommends.

These include West Kirby, in Wallasey, Silloth, in Cumbria and, for the first time, two Blackpool beaches at Bispham and Blackpool South.

Spokesman Kate Hutchinson said: "the MCS Good Beach Guide allows the public to make an informed choice about where and whether to bathe."

But a city council spokesperson said they were concentrating on reaching the standards set down by the EC rather than She said: "We aim to reach the EC standards that are measured by the environment agency and recognised by everyone.

They have judged us as being safe for bathing and of a good standard.

"They measure for 20 weeks from May to September and at times during that period the beaches were rated excellent.

The organisation publishing this guide is one of several which sets down and considers its own standards."

And, the spokesman added, the public has shown its support for Morecambe's beaches: "When the weather is good the beaches are packed, which is evidence that people feel our beaches are fine."