Do not enter sea warning as harmful bacteria found

Samples taken at Llandudno's West Shore found unsafe levels of bacteria

People are being advised not to swim or paddle in the sea at a popular north Wales beach after harmful bacteria levels were found in the water.

Water quality samples taken at Llandudno's West Shore in Conwy found unsafe levels of the intestinal enterococci bacteria which comes from human, animal or bird faeces, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed.

Further samples will be taken next week, but it is likely the bathing water will be off limits until after the bank holiday weekend.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said it did not believe it was responsible for the pollution, and that storm overflows did not operate on the day the sample was taken.

Intestinal enterococci can cause severe stomach upsets.

Signs were put up on Monday at the beach advising people not to go into the water.

Conservative MS Janet Finch Saunders, who represents Aberconwy, said she was concerned this was one of several recent pollution alerts at or near Llandudno's West Shore.

"West Shore is a very popular beach that attracts many visitors and locals every day," she said.

Warnings not to swim in the water were placed on the seafront

"These announcements are extremely concerning, especially during a heatwave and the school summer holidays, which naturally increase the number of people heading to the beach," Saunders added.

"Leaks like this are a serious public health concern and cannot be allowed to continue."

A spokeswoman for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said the source of this latest pollution was not clear.

"Our storm overflows did not operate on the day the sample was taken, or in the preceding days," she said.

"This suggests the high levels of bacteria detected in this sample originate from another source of which there are many, including agricultural sources, septic tanks and animal faeces."

She added: "We're also investigating if our pumping station at Dale Road has a sensor fault which might have given false readings, showing it was discharging when it wasn't.

"All other bathing water samples taken by NRW this season have met the 'excellent' threshold for bathing water quality."

The company said it wanted to help improve river and bathing water quality and in the next five years will be investing £2.5bn on projects to improve the environment, including £889m on improving storm overflows.

A spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said its officers were aware of the sample levels and were liaising with Conwy County Borough Council and Dŵr Cymru.