Two beaches in Sussex have been ranked among the "dirtiest" in the UK.

A study by Cartridge Save found the top ten most unhygienic beaches in the country based on those with the highest pollution levels.

This was discovered by reviewing the water quality at each beach by examining levels of E. coli and enterococci - two bacteria which live in the intestines of humans and animals.

This was then used to determine a water cleanliness level for each stretch of coastline, which along with TripAdvisor visitor reviews for each location, was used to rank the beaches in order of most dirty.

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In the list, Brighton Beach was ranked as the sixth dirtiest, with an overall water cleanliness score of 6.92.

E. Coli levels at the beach were high at 14, with Int. Enterococci levels at six.

The popular city beach was also found to have some of the least excellent ratings on Tripadvisor.

The most recent negative review read: "First time visiting for a family holiday.

"Completely agree with the negative reviews on here. Scarborough, Blackpool and Weston-s-mare all similar but are cleaner, cheaper and better places to visit."

Beach Green in Lancing also made the list and was named the ninth dirtiest beach in the country, with a water cleanliness score of 7.29, despite recent positive reviews on Tripadvisor.

One person wrote: "Nice clean pebbles beach, quite busy with hot weather but a space for everyone.

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"Snacks and drinks options are close and even with hot weather it was never overcrowded."

Another said: "Great beach, very clean and tidy.

"Great for families and winter walks. Great views and very clean. Lovely beach huts to see as well."

Haverigg Beach in Millom, Cumbria, was found to be the 'dirtiest' beach in the UK overall, with a water cleanliness score of just 2.16.

Other beaches on the list include Three Shells Beach in Essex, Southend Westcliff Bay in Southend-on-Sea and Fraisthorpe in Yorkshire.

The UK's dirtiest beaches according to the study

10. Lowestoft, Suffolk

E. Coli - 45

Int. Enterococci - 12

Least 'excellent' ratings - three

Water cleanliness score - 7.45

9. Lancing, Beach Green

E. Coli - 25

Int. Enterococci - seven

Least 'excellent' ratings - 26

Water cleanliness score - 7.29

8. Seascale, Cumbria

E. Coli - five

Int. Enterococci - 11

Least 'excellent' ratings - 29

Water cleanliness score - 7.28

7. Three Shells Beach, Essex

E. Coli - 13

Int. Enterococci - 20

Least 'excellent' ratings - two

Water cleanliness score - 7.22

6. Brighton Beach

E. Coli - 14

Int. Enterococci - six

Least 'excellent' ratings - 17

Water cleanliness score - 6.92

5. Littlestone, Kent

E. Coli - four

Int. Enterococci - five

Least 'excellent' ratings - 21

Water cleanliness score - 6.51

4. Hunstanon (Old Hunstanton), Norfolk

E. Coli - six

Int. Enterococci - four

Least 'excellent' ratings - 44

Water cleanliness score - 6.34

3. Fraisthorpe, Yorkshire

E. Coli - three

Int. Enterococci - two

Least 'excellent' ratings - 30

Water cleanliness score - 3.83

2. Southend Westcliff Bay, Southend-on-Sea

E. Coli - two Int. Enterococci - three

Least 'excellent' ratings - 34

Water cleanliness score - 2.16

1. Haverigg, Cumbria

E.Coli - one

Int. Enterococci - three

Least 'excellent' ratings - 34

Water cleanliness score - 2.1