Water quality at 19 beaches has been rated 'good' by the Environmental Protection Department for this weekend, with 12 'fair' and two 'poor'.

Compared with last week's grading, Cheung Chau Tung Wan, Clear Water Bay First, Deep Water Bay and Middle Bay Beaches have been upgraded from 'fair' to 'good' while Stanley Main, Lower Cheung Sha and Discovery Bay have changed from 'good' to 'fair', and Big Wave Bay and Golden Beaches from 'fair' to 'poor'.

As many beaches are likely to be more polluted than their grades suggest during and after periods of heavy rain, bathers should avoid swimming for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

Seven beaches - Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Casam, Gemini, Hoi Mei Wan and Lido - are closed to swimmers year round because of poor water quality.