Campaigner hands sewage petition to Downing Street

Jo Bateman hand-delivered the petition to 10 Downing Street

A keen sea swimmer has delivered a petition containing more than 49,000 signatures to Downing Street to protest against sewage being discharged into sea water.

Jo Bateman, 62, from Exmouth, has called for action against water companies over the pollution which she said stopped swimmers from entering the sea.

Ms Bateman hand-delivered the petition calling for urgent change to the Prime Minister's home on Tuesday.

South West Water (SWW) said it was "serious" about tackling sewage spills and was investing about £38m in the Exmouth area up to 2030.

'Right to swim'

Ms Bateman previously told the BBC swimming helped her physical and mental health.

The swimmer, who has taken legal action against SWW, added she had been unable to swim on many occasions due to the frequent sewage spills on the beach.

It comes after traders in Exmouth said spillages in August and September had a significant impact on business and had led them to consider taking legal action against SWW.

Ms Bateman said she wanted to hold all water companies to account and make sure waterways are improved.

"It is about giving us the right to swim in clean water which at the moment is very often taken away from us," she said.

Sewage spillages were reported in Exmouth in August and September

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the UK's waterways were in an "unacceptable state" after years of neglect.

Mr Reed added: "Under this government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth.

"If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time."

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the UK's waterways had been neglected for years

Trade association Water UK said "no sewage spill is ever acceptable".

He said companies had proposed investing £105bn "to ensure the security of water supplies in the future and end sewage entering rivers and seas".

SWW said it was looking to upgrade its pumping stations and treatment works to reduce the number of spills.

A spokesperson said: "We are serious about tackling storm overflows but change of this scale takes time, ambition and increased investment."