The Environment Agency says reports of sewage in the bathing spots in Northumberland and South South Shields are being taken "seriously" but said it is routine for the North Sea to become polluted after stormy or wet weather.
Storm sewage has been discharged into the North Sea close to Warkworth, Amble Links and Spittal in Northumberland in the past 48 hours, according to water quality alerts on the Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) Safer Seas Service map, leading to pollution risk warnings which advice against swimming or bathing in the sea near those beaches. It also warns against swimming near Marsden Beach in South Shields, South Tyneside, due to sewage discharge in the River Tyne further north.
Northumbrian Water has explained why sewage is pumped into the North Sea during and after stormy weather.
