POLLUTION warnings are in place at bathing beaches in Barrow after heavy rain led to sewage overflows discharging over the past few days.

Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage has warned swimmers away from West Shore, Sandy Gap and Biggar Bank after storm sewage was released into the water.

They are reporting that there should be no pollution problems with similar storm drains at Haverigg and Morecambe.

Storm drains are used as an emergency measure to relieve pressure on the sewer network in periods of heavier than expected rain.

Water bosses have explained that intense rainfall on to hard ground will not soak in and instead runs straight off - causing more pressure on the underground network.

But there has been growing public outrage in recent years at the volume of raw or partially-treated sewage pumped into the UK's rivers and coastal waters.

And Walney South Councillor Helen Wall said: "I am horrified, shocked, and appalled.

"It is an absolute disgrace. Raw sewage should not be anywhere near our bathing beaches.

"We were promised by the Government that when the water companies were privatised that these problems would get fixed.

"In an allegedly wealthy country, to have sewage going into seas and rivers, causing danger to wildlife, is disgusting.

"The Government needs to step in and sort out the whole system with more investment, so these things do not happen in the twenty-first century.

"And if it costs money to run it, let it cost money."

While a United Utilities spokesman said: “The North West coastline has seen billions of pounds of water company investment over the last 30 years meaning that bathing waters are now cleaner than they have ever been. Across the region, 93% of bathing waters were classified as Good or Excellent in 2021 and all met the designated minimum standards.

“We are already committed to a programme of action for further improvements, and we are spending £230m over the next three years to reduce the impact of storm overflows.”

There are pollution warnings in place at more than 40 beaches and swimming spots in England and Wales after heavy rain overwhelmed the sewage system following months of little or no rain.

The south west and south coast of England were the worst affected, according to data gathered by environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

Swimmers are advised against bathing at seven beaches in Cornwall as a result of storm sewage overflows, with four in Devon and five in Dorset also polluted by the recent downpours.

Nine beaches in Sussex, three on the Isle of Wight and three in Essex were also hit by storm sewage.

Elsewhere, there were warnings in place at spots in Lincolnshire, Lancashire and South Wales, as well as two inland wild swimming spots near Bristol and near Minehead in Somerset.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "The current risk of surface water flooding reinforces the need for robust action from water companies to reduce discharges from storm overflows. We are monitoring the current situation and supporting local authorities where needed."