Water quality at 24 beaches has been rated 'good' for this weekend by the Environmental Protection Department, with eight 'fair' and one 'very poor'.

Compared with last week, Silverstrand Beach has upgraded from fair to good, but Silver Mine Bay Beach has dropped from good to very poor.

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

Many beaches are likely to be more polluted than their grades suggest during and after heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.