DURBAN is to put six additional beaches forward to be awarded Blue Flag status by the end of this year. A further six beaches could also apply for pilot status next year. The eThekwini Municipality supports the roll out of the Blue Flag Programme. To this end, it is providing funds for the upgrading of the following beach facilities: Ansteys Beach; Bay of Plenty Beach; Battery Beach; Country Club Beach; Addington Beach and Bronze Beach. Furthermore, city officials will pursue partnership arrangements wherever possible for the following beach facilities: Amanzimtoti main beach; Winkelspruit Beach; Bells Beach (Ushaka); Umdloti Beach; Dunes Beach (Sun Coast Beach); and Umgababa Beach. International Blue Flag beach awards are made every year to those beaches which an international committee feels to be of very high world standards in terms of safety, cleanliness, maintenance and facilities. Last year, three KwaZulu-Natal beaches joined three others previously in meeting those standards, including Willard Beach at Ballito, Durban's South Beach and Margate's Main Beach. (Natalia Thomson)