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TIDY Northern Ireland is delighted to announce that the 2010 Coca Cola Coast Care Awards are now open for nominations. Once again the award ceremony is taking place at Stormont's Parliament Buildings, on 14th October 2010.

Entry is easy and it's free. So, if you know a group or an individual that has played a vital part in protecting our coastline, our loughs or our rivers through their dedication, commitment and drive, this is a great opportunity to reward them.

To download an information pack and nomination form for groups or individuals please click here.

Do you know a beach that could do with a good spring clean? Volunteers around Northern Ireland are getting stuck into the mess littering our coastline as part of Coca-Cola Coast Care Week. Coastal and marine pollution is detrimental not only to marine life, killing thousands of seabirds and turtles every year, but the millions of pieces of rubbish people drop is also reducing the visual pleasure of Northern Ireland's coastal heritage. So it's time to get together and do something about it!

The Coast Care Programme in association with Coca-Cola is attempting to halt the build up of tonnes of rubbish around our coastline and raise awareness of the deadly marine litter washed onto our beaches on every wave. Events and clean ups are happening all around the coast from the 16^th of July until the 25^th of July. So if you would like to join hundreds of other committed volunteers and get involved in an activity in your area or if you would like to organise a clean up on a messy beach near you then please visit www.tidynorthernireland.org , email: marlene.gattineau@tidynorthernireland.org or phone: 02890 736 926.

Don't forget! All this work does not go unrecognised; you can enter for the 2010 Coast Care Awards and Photo Competition. You can find more details on our website www.tidynorthernireland.org.

TIDY Northern Ireland has announced that a grand total of eight beaches and one marina have been awarded the international Blue Flag for their excellent environmental management and pristine water quality. This is an extremely positive sign of improvement for Northern Ireland beaches as this is the largest number of Blue Flags Northern Ireland has seen for five years and well up on the number awarded last year. Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive for TIDY Northern Ireland said, "This is a fantastic result for Northern Ireland's beaches, reflecting a significant investment by beach operators and resulting in greater choice of clean, safe and litter free places to spend the summer for all our visitors".