THANET'S beaches have been closed to swimmers after sewage was leaked into the sea following a following a failure at the Southern Water pumping station.

Experts are warning people not to bathe or walk below the tide line as a precautionary measure following the spill from the Foreness Point station.

Thanet's beaches have been closed after sewage leaked into the sea

Beaches were closed on Monday while the water company works around the clock to fix pumps which became blocked following heavy rain.

A Southern Water spokesman admitted that some sewage was continuing to leak from the station and that the situation could get worse if rain returns.

Beach cleaners and litter pickers are working along theThanet coastline to clear beaches of any raw sewage. It is likely that the beaches will be closed to bathers for a minimum of two days.

Thanet council has placed red flags on beaches and RNLI Lifeguards are warning the public.

Jon Griffin, Senior Environment Officer with the Environment Agency said: "The Environment Agency are carrying out a full investigation and are working with Southern Water Services and Thanet District Council to reduce the impact of the spillages as much as possible. We will continue to monitor the bathing water quality over the coming days and will advise Thanet District Council accordingly."

Excerpt from:

Thanet beaches closed after sewage leak