irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Saturday, July 21, 2012, 14:53

A ban on swimming at three beaches in Co Clare has been lifted today after tests on water samples showed the amount of bacteria in the water had fallen.

The restrictions were implemented yesterday at the Kilkee, Lahinch and Spanish Point beaches amid concern over E-coli pollution in the sea, which was thought to have arisen because of abnormal weather conditions.

Clare County Council said this afternoon that preliminary results of water samples taken from the beaches yesterday had shown a dramatic reduction in the levels of bacteria in the water. This was due to improved weather, the council said.

On the advice of the HSE and following analysis of water samples, the council is delighted to be able to announce the lifting of all restrictions relating to bathing at Lahinch, Kilkee and Spanish Point, said the councils director of services Anne Haugh said.

Public notices indicating that swimming and surfing at the three locations are no longer prohibited are being erected this afternoon, while the Blue Flag at Lahinch and Kilkee beaches have been restored having been temporarily withdrawn on Friday.

The council said yesterday that the pollution was caused by water runoff from excessive and sustained rainfall over the past two months.

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Bathing ban lifted at Clare beaches