The foul stench of seaweed along part of the Thanet coastline is turning visitors and residents away from award-winning beaches and bays.

Masses of reeking weed continue to plague a stretch from Minnis Bay past Birchington, Westgate, Westbrook and Margate and past Walpole Bay and Palm Bay in Cliftonville - all areas that have won Blue Flag awards for their cleanliness, safety and amenities.

Cllr Shirley Tomlinson, cabinet member for commercial and environmental services, said: “The council has spent the summer working to tackle the problem of seaweed and we have devoted most of our resources to Minnis Bay, as it is the worst location.

"We are doing everything we can to keep the Blue Flag area of the beach clear.

“We have mainly managed by moving seaweed back into the sea, and trying to get tides and wind to remove this naturally. However, weather conditions over the last couple of days have set this back.

"It’s important to stress that this has been a very unusual summer. We haven’t seen such levels of seaweed in the last 20 years. We are in discussion with the Environment Agency to resolve this issue.”

Thanet council Labour group leader Cllr Richard Nicholson said: “The accumulation of seaweed is a naturally occuring problem that is worse some years than others, given the variable climate and tidal conditions. However, it is time a long-term solution for this offensive stink was sought before visitors and residents give our coastline a wide berth.”

See the Thanet Extra - out now - for full story of how two young sisters begged the council to banish the pong