Hundreds sign up to South West Water legal claim

Nicky Nicholls said the group action could feel "quite empowering" for those involved

More than 700 people have signed up to be part of a group legal action against a water firm over sewage pollution at a Devon beach.

Swimmers, residents and businesses in Exmouth want to take South West Water (SWW) to court following a series of spills, which led to warnings not to swim in the sea locally being issued along the town's coastline.

Nicky Nicholls, who is co-ordinating the legal action, said people just wanted to "get their beach back".

SWW said it could not comment on the legal action, but it would be investing millions into improvements to its systems in and around Exmouth.

'Really angry'

Ms Nicholls, who runs the Sideshore eco-hub community interest company, said everyone who had signed up to the group legal action wanted things to change.

She said: "I think it can feel quite empowering for us if we really think this is how we're going to be able to effect change and ultimately get our beach back."

Regular sea swimmers Janet Penrose and Marcia Fletcher said the number of times warnings had been put out not to enter the water in Exmouth had been frustrating.

Ms Penrose said: "I'm really angry that we're paying people to do a job and they're not doing it."

Janet Penrose (left) and Marcia Fletcher (right) said the class action was important for the future of the beach

Ms Fletcher added she was worried about how the beach might look and be used in the future.

"Both of us are grandmothers and you start thinking 'well we're enjoying the sea, but will they [our grandchildren] be able to?'" she said.

"That's why the class action is so important."

Richard Price, managing director of wastewater services at SWW, said the firm had invested more than £20m in the last five years specifically in Exmouth with a further £38m set to be spent in the future.

A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said a full review of the water sector to shape further legislation to help "clean up our waterways for good" would be conducted.