A new report by the European Union indicates that one out of 20 European Union beaches have failed to meet cleanliness standards in 2005, with both Malta and Poland being the worst offenders, although a large number of member states did pass the test.

According to news reports, the bathing water report showed that 96.1 percent of coastal swimming sites in the 25-nation EU met the guidelines set down in a 1976 law, broadly the same as in 2004.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas says: "Clean beaches are needed not only for protecting public health but we also need clean beaches as an economic asset."

"We have to avoid letting standards slip," he adds.

According to the European Business Guide, four new EU states - Hungary, Latvia, Malta and Poland - had a high number of bathing areas that were insufficiently sampled - 39 percent of the coastal areas and 43 percent of the freshwater zones.

While on the other hand, the six other new member states showed a clear overall improvement in their results.

The European Union claims the rules set forth to maintain the continent's beaches are to protect people from the health risks of swimming in polluted conditions, largely caused by faecal matter.

Illnesses include vomiting, skin problems and breathing difficulty.