A ban advising beachgoers to stay away from a popular coastal stretch has been lifted.

Pollution warnings were first issued at Minnis Bay in Thanet more than a week ago after reports thousands of dead ragworms and lugworms were found on the shore.

The Environment Agency (EA) told seaside visitors to stay out of the water at Birchington-on-Sea and West Bay as a precaution.

Business owners ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend spoke of their concerns about a lack of passing trade.

The EA then lifted its advice against bathing at Minnis Bay and West Bay as well as St Mildred’s Bay, Westbrook and Margate.

Following test results on Friday, the agency declared test results showed “the material in the affected area is not toxic”.

However, Thanet District Council (TDC) continued to advise against bathing at Minnis Bay due to the ongoing presence of residue from algae until today.

It is due to the plant having an unpleasant odour and being able to cause skin irritation.

The local authority though has lifted that warning this afternoon.

A spokesperson for TDC explained: “The advice was put in place on May 20, following the discovery of dead ragworms, lugworms and shellfish at Minnis Bay.

“This was caused by a naturally occurring algal bloom.

“The algae resulted in the presence of a residue which has now hardened and is being broken up by the action of the tides.

”TDC signs in place at Minnis Bay advising members of the public against entering the water, and to stay above the high water mark, have now been removed.”

Speaking previously, the EA confirmed the exact cause behind the closures.

A spokesperson for the environment watchdog explained: “The EA has carried out a range of tests to determine the cause of the shellfish and invertebrate deaths at Minnis Bay.

“Results confirm that the deaths are due to a very large algal bloom which has since died back, causing a drop in oxygen levels in the water.”

The lifting of restrictions will also come as a relief to many business owners.

Tony Hobbs, who works at the West Bay Kiosk, said the lack of information has been damaging.

He told KentOnline there had been “no information” leading up to last weekend, adding: “I feel for the people who use the beach huts because hearing that the beach is closed causes them worry.

“Normally, even on a quiet day, I’d take about £ 80,but today, I’ll be lucky if I take £30.

“You lose punters because they don’t want to walk here, especially dog walkers because they aren’t allowed on the beach.”

Minnis Bay was one of six Kent beaches to gain a Blue Flag award earlier this month.

Keep Britain Tidy awards the gong to well-managed seafronts with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

Thanet’s Margate Main Sands and Stone Bay missed out on the accolade in a year that saw Kent’s representation slashed from nine to six with sewage discharges blamed on the snub.