Those heading to the coast are being advised not to swim in the sea because of pollution at certain beaches in Kent.

The Environment Agency has issued advice against bathing at Fulsam Rock in Margate, and Viking Bay in Broadstairs.

However, environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage says more beaches in Kent are also affected because of damage caused by storms in the past 48 hours.

It has issued no bathing alerts for West Beach in Whitstable, Tankerton, Herne Bay Central, Fulsam Rock in Margate, Hythe, Sandgate and Sunny Sands in Folkestone.

Two sewer overflows discharge via an outfall pipe around 700 metres offshore in Folkestone.

In Margate, there are sewer overflows about 900m west of the bathing water and a further leak 1.5 km to the west.

A spokesperson from Southern Water said: “Rain can overwhelm the combined sewer and drainage system which exists in many parts of our region.

"To protect homes, schools and businesses from flooding, storm overflows act as a release value and release excess water into the sea.

"These discharges are heavily diluted, typically being 95% rainwater.

"There are around 15,000 storm overflows in England and approximately 1,000 in our region.”

Do not swim warnings have been common in Kent this summer.

Last month, a total of nine Kent beaches had polluted waters from sewage discharge caused by storms.

It affected beaches across much of the county's north and south-east coasts.

On August 12, swimmers were advised not to go into the water in Folkestone following a release of wastewater overnight off Dover.