A way to find a long-term solution to the mounds of stinking seaweed plaguing Thanet’s beaches is being sought by North Thanet MP Roger Gale.

Many of the worst-affected seaside spots are in the MP’s constituency and he is meeting with the regional director of the Environment Agency this week to discuss ways to ensure that Thanet`s beaches are not only cleared of rotting seaweed, but stay clean.

Mr Gale has received numerous complaints from angry residents this summer. He said: “This situation makes a complete nonsense of the Blue Flag scheme of which Thanet has been justly proud. What is the point of flying a flag of recognition over a beach that it is impossible to use?

“Thanet council have made a real effort, under very extreme conditions this year, to try to clean our beaches of the rotting and stinking weed. Regulation has, however, seemingly prevented the local authority from properly and finally disposing of the weed which has been put back into the sea only to be washed ashore again.

“There has to be a way of allowing not only Thanet, but other seaside resorts, to get rid of this menace in a way that does not simply regurgitate the problem. Whether that means a change to national regulations or to EU directives we have to explore, but we cannot be expected to suffer another summer such as this one.”