Campaigners gather on beach in sewage protest

Surfers Against Sewage said they wanted Kingston to be designated as a bathing water beach

Campaigners have gathered on a beach in West Sussex to protest against sewage.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) organised the demonstration at Kingston Beach, near Shoreham.

The organisation said it wanted "Southern Water to end dumping sewage in our waters here".

Southern Water said it shared the communities’ "passion for our local environment".

Claire Osborne, a local representative for SAS, said a combined sewer overflow at Kingston beach - a popular swimming spot - had discharged for "over 300 hours since Christmas".

During periods of heavy rain, combined sewer overflows are currently allowed to discharge into rivers and seas to prevent the sewerage system becoming overwhelmed by rainwater.

Tom Gallagher, bathing water lead at Southern Water said it the company was "investing heavily" to "reduce storm overflows as quickly as possible".

"Only through close working with partners like councils, regulators, the agricultural and industrial sectors, and environmental groups, we will be able to deliver the results our customers and environment deserve," he added.