World famous surfers are supporting a campaign to improve sewage treatment before pumping waste into the sea.

Three times world masters champion Gary Elkerton from Australia will visit Brighton today to lobby Southern Water to step up its treatment plans.

The firm has applied to build a sewage plant at Peacehaven, east of Brighton, but national group Surfers Against Sewage wants it to treat effluent to a high enough standard so it can be recycled.

Southern Water intends to treat the waste biologically then discharge it into the sea.

Mr Elkerton will be joined by British champion Gabe Davies, Welsh ripper Nathan Phillips, Roxy rider Sarah Bentley and UK junior Tom Butler near Palace Pier at 9am.

He said: "I've had the pleasure of surfing in some of the most pristine beaches in the world.

"It is disappointing to see a vibrant and otherwise ethical city like Brighton not want to see its sewage treated fully."

The planning application is being considered by Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council.