Bathing ban issued to four popular Co Down beaches

Ards and North Down council confirmed water quality tests at Ballyholme, Brompton, Donaghadee and Crawfordsburn beaches have failed.

Local sea swimmers have expressed concerns following more bathing bans. Signage has been erected advising members of the public not to swim in the affected areas.

The Agriculture department has launched a water pollution investigation.

A DAERA spokesperson commented: "During routine bathing water monitoring the following sites have breached action levels for the bacteria Escherichia coli, and notice has been provided this morning to Bathing Water Operators to erect ‘advice against bathing’ signage: Brompton, Ballyholme, Donaghadee, Crawfordsburn.

"A resample will be taken today and further results provided to Bathing Water Operators tomorrow."

Meanwhile at the weekend, poisonous parsnips and dead birds were spotted at Murlough Beach in Co Down.

Last month, a similar incident saw a number of popular beaches along the North Coast being tested for potentially toxic Blue-green Algae.

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• ards and north down council