Swimming is unsafe at some of Britain's most beautiful beaches because water companies have dumped sewage into the sea.
A live map of the country from Surfers Against Sewage shows human waste has been clouding the swell off many beaches since heavy rains poured down last week.
Pollution warnings were issued for dozens of beaches and swimming spots as the torrential downpour overwhelmed systems, prompting water companies to pump out raw or partially treated sewage.
Water firms are being criticised for not investing money back into the UK's outdated water infrastructure, with mounting pressure on ministers to intervene.
In a report published in July, the Environment Agency said water company bosses should face jail for the worst pollution incidents, describing the sector's performance in 2021 as the "worst we have seen for years".
Below are ten beautiful beaches which are currently under pollution alerts, according to data gathered by environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.
1. Spittal, East Lothian
Spittal is a gently sloping sandy beach about 1km long, situated immediately south of the mouth of the River Tweed.
It is also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Within the catchment, there are a number of sewer overflows that discharge into the River Tweed.
At the time of writing, storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours according to the live map.
2. Warkworth, Northumberland
Warkworth is a large, sandy, gently sloping, remote beach backed by an extensive sand dune system.
The mouth of the River Coquet and seaside town of Amble lie just to the south of the beach while the historic town of Warkworth with its medieval castle, hermitage and church is also nearby.
There are no sewer overflows discharging directly at Warkworth but there are some in the immediate area surrounding the beach, one of which overflowed in the past two days.
3. Amble Links, Northumberland
Located south of Amble Harbour, Amble Links is a 1km stretch of rocks, sand and shingle sloping gradually into the sea.
The beach is backed by cliffs and has views across the water to Coquet Island, an RSPB reserve famous for its puffin colony.
Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours, triggering a pollution alert.
4. Ladram Bay, Devon
Ladram Bay is a small, secluded, sand and shingle beach located in a picturesque cove characterised by two, high, red rock sea stacks.
It sits in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are no sewer overflows at Ladram Bay, but a treated sewage works outfall discharges south west of the beach, and there is currently a pollution risk warning in place.
5. Marske Sands, Yorkshire
A sandy stretch of beach set between the seaside resorts of Saltburn and Redcar on the north east coast, Marske-By-The-Sea also has historical significance for the part it played in a number of battles over the centuries.
A number of sewer overflows discharge into the sea here with two discharging behind the beach and one directly onto the beach.
6. Gyllyngvase Beach, Cornwall
Gyllyngvase is a popular beach resort on the south coast of Cornwall situated at the mouth of the River Fal.
It is a long sandy beach with a rocky reef at each end and a promenade to the west, within sight of Pendennis Castle, Gylly. It's a very gently sloping beach backed by beautiful gardens to the west.
Sadly sewage has reportedly been dumped there over the weekend.
7. Leysdown, Kent
Situated on the Isle of Sheppey, Leysdown is a traditional resort beach backed by a promenade.
It is a gently sloping, predominantly sand beach with some shingle and shell and a large area of shallow water available as the tide ebbs.
There are no sewer overflows at Leysdown but the estuaries of the River Swale and the River Medway are either side of the beach.
Bathing is not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.
8. Budleigh Salterton, Devon
Part of the Ancient World Heritage Coastline, Budleigh Salterton is a 2km stretch of resort beach with red cliffs at the western end and the River Otter Estuary.
There are three sewer overflows in the area, one discharges directly onto the beach, another 400m east and another that discharges 1.3km away into the sea.
Swimmers should avoid getting into the water today.
9. Dee River, Cheshire
This river is very popular with wild swimmers and is a beautiful spot to wile away a summer's day.
Regrettably storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.
10. Morecambe South, Lancashire
Morecombe South is below a traditional English fishing town with a gently sloping sandy beach with pebbles.
Groynes break up the beach with a strip of which is exposed throughout the tidal cycle.
Over the weekend human waste was dumped into the water there.
