Bathing warning issued for several island beaches

People have been warned not to swim at several Isle of Wight beaches because of water pollution.

The Environment Agency has issued a bathing water alert for Gurnard on the north of the island and along the east coast in the Shanklin and Bembridge areas.

Southern Water's River and Seas Watch website details outfall releases affecting bathing waters across all the areas.

Isle of Wight Council has advised anyone who comes into contact with contaminated water to wash with soap and water. It has warned that hand sanitiser does not kill all the viruses that can cause illness.

Ian Vallance who owns and runs the Wight Dive School based in Cowes said: "In the Bembridge area diving at this time of year is superb. Not to be able to dive there is just a nightmare for us.

"We've got lots of people visiting the Isle of Wight who have booked in to do courses, so we have to honour those courses. It just costs us money because we will have to come to the mainland and use water centres."

He said bathing alerts for the island seem to be "becoming more and more regular" with diving being stopped every two or three months.

There have been several warnings not to swim on the island's coast this summer due to pollution.

In June people were urged to stay out of the water at Totland Bay and Colwell Bay after the Environment Agency found contamination along the west coast.

In May untreated sewage poured into streets and gardens at East Cowes after a large pipe burst.

Following the burst Southern Water started discharging into the sea. The Environment Agency advised people to avoid going in the water at Gurnard, Cowes and East Cowes.

A second sewage spill also in May was caused by an unplanned power outage at the Cowes High Street pumping station.