Water quality testing was undertaken at newly-designated bathing beaches yesterday.

The Environment Agency staff took seawater samples from Worthing's Goring Beach and Beach House Grounds, in Worthing, on Monday to check for pollution.

The government assigned the bathing water status to both areas last month following a campaign by Worthing Borough Council and citizen volunteers.

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Both areas of the seafront will now undergo regular testing for harmful bacteria as they have this status.

This is to make sure the water is clean, healthy and safe for swimmers.

The Environment Agency team also collected samples from an existing designated bathing site at Heene Road, Worthing, for testing.

The results of the samples will be available to view at https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/.

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council expressed hope that the increased monitoring would pinpoint pollution sources and their perpetrators, necessitating action.

He said: "Although we don't have the power to directly regulate Southern Water, we hope the extra work by the Environment Agency will give a more accurate picture of sources of pollution and who is responsible for them, so action can be taken."

Litter, dog mess and visitor counts were also recorded at each site, with no litter said to be found at the two new designated bathing sites.