Sunseekers visiting a popular beach on Bank Holiday Monday have been warned to stay out of the sea following concerns over poor water quality.
Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside would usually be packed with families enjoying the weather while cooling off in the North Sea.
But this morning, a tannoy announcement warned anyone against having a dip over fears they could be risking their health.
Red flags have also been set up around the beach to deter bathers – although several paddleboarders have ignored the warnings and headed into the water regardless.
Since 2018, water quality at Cullercoats Bay has been given the lowest possible rating by the Environment Agency (EA).
The ‘poor’ rating has long been blamed on contaminated groundwater, prompting Northumbrian Water to drill a network of boreholes to try and work out the source of the pollution.
These will test for bacteria known to cause illnesses, including E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
Cullercoats Bay would usually be packed with families enjoying the weather while cooling off in the North Sea. Bathers were told not to enter the water, although some did anyway
An aerial photo showing a smattering of swimmers and paddleboarders in the water today off Cullercoats Bay
Since 2018, water quality at Cullercoats Bay has been given the lowest possible rating by the Environment Agency (EA)
Thousands of sun-seeking Brits will be making their way to beaches and beauty spots across the country today in what is set to be the hottest August Bank Holiday in six years.
However, forecasters have warned them to be careful, with the remnants of America’s Hurricane Erin potentially leading to dangerous conditions off beaches in Cornwall.
James Instance, HM Coastguard Divisional Commander, said: ‘Conditions in the Atlantic are predicted to mix with high tides to raise the risk in areas which are expected to be busy with visitors during the holidays.
‘There is the likelihood of strong waves and currents which could lead to people being swept out, particularly children or vulnerable people.’
Mr Instance added: ‘Tides will also reach higher than usual with the chance of people being cut off and trapped.
‘It’s very easy to be caught out, even in normal conditions, so we’re advising people heading to the coast just to take extra care over those three days.’
Temperatures over 28.2C could make today the second hottest late August Bank Holiday since it began 60 years ago in 1965, and the hottest for six years, since 2019’s record 33.2C, Met Office records showed.
An incident at Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot yesterday evening saw six children pulled from the water after getting into ‘serious difficulty’ near a slipway.
The RNLI and North Tyneside Council have been contacted for comment.
