Island council issues sea-bathing warning

Bathers have been urged to avoid swimming in the sea off the Isle of Wight following a sewage spill.

The island's council advised residents to "avoid swimming in contaminated water" at Totland Bay and Colwell Bay on the west coast of the Isle of Wight, after the Environment Agency (EA) reported a "pollution incident".

Southern Water has been approached for a statement.

The EA said the bathing alert is likely to finish by the end of Thursday.

In a statement, the Isle of Wight Council said: people should "try not to come into direct contact with contaminated water".

"Sewage water can contain bacteria and viruses that may cause illness.

"If you do- wash with soap and water- hand sanitiser does not kill all viruses which can cause illness," it added.

The authorities also warned adults to keep children and animals out of the water.

Becca Cameron, ward councillor for Freshwater South, posted on social media that she had been told by Southern Water that there had been "one hour of sewage release due to pump failure" at Totland Bay.

Earlier this week, the EA lifted a similar restriction after two sewage spills off Cowes and East Cowes in the space of a week.