Areas of seafront designated for bathing have been polluted, tests have found.

The Environment Agency has been testing samples of the bathing water sites around the country, including areas in Worthing for the first time.

The site opposite Beach House Grounds on Worthing seafront has now been classified as ‘poor’, the worst rating, due to contamination from foul water originating from a property.

Bathers have been advised not to use the site by the Environment Agency due to the quality of the water samples, taken between May and September of this year.

The results show a presence of E.coli and intestinal enterococci.

A bathing site at Heene Road has also been downgraded to ‘sufficient’, after being graded ‘good’ for the last three years.

Meanwhile, the site at Goring beach has been graded ‘sufficient’ for its first rating.

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Worthing Borough Council is working in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Southern Water to identify the sources of the pollution.

Councillor Vicki Wells, Worthing Borough Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We're disappointed with these water quality classifications, but the additional data will help much-needed improvements.

“This is the first time we've been able to get an accurate picture of the water quality at Beach House and Goring Beach, following our applications to the government to designate the areas and have them tested by the Environment Agency.

“Working with our partners, we're committed to improving water quality for nature and ensure our communities can enjoy cleaner seas along our coast.

“This wouldn't be possible without our new bathing sites and I welcome the government's new public consultation on improving the bathing water regulations.”

The bathing site at Aldwick in Bognor has also been downgraded to the lowest classification and people have been advised not to swim there. The location has been rated ‘poor’ since 2022.

Off Hove and Kemp Town, the bathing sites' water quality has been rated ‘excellent’, while the central location on Brighton seafront has been classified as ‘good’.