WATCH: Outrage as stream of blood runs out of slaughterhouse onto Ardrossan beach

A video has emerged on social media of blood running out of a slaughterhouse and onto the beach at Ardrossan.

It was captured by Eilidh Beck from Millport who had been visiting the beach.

Horrified, she sent the footage on to local campaign group, "Ayrshire Animal Save" which shared the video on its Facebook page.

Eilidh said, "I was picking pebbles off the beach and the first thing was the smell. I could smell death.

"I thought it was a dead animal or something so I had a look around and to my left I saw the blood running down. I started walking up and it was just a big river of blood. It was spurting out like it would from a broken pipe.

"It ran all the way down to the sea. The tide was out but you could see it turning red.

"I can't explain how I felt. It was like a horror movie. If you didn't know the slaughterhouse was there you would be really concerned because it was like a murder scene."

Tommy Kelly from Ayrshire Animal Save said, "We were absolutely devastated to see this. We go to the slaughterhouse to witness the pigs coming in once a month. But to see the reality of animal slaughter spill out into the wider community is really shocking.

"We had had a great response on Facebook with the public agreeing how devastating this is. They bring their families to the beach and the children are in the sea swimming on a hot day. People walk their dogs here. It's really disappointing."

A spokesperson from Robertson's Fine Foods said, "The company is aware of an issue identified on 25th June 2018 and Senior Management are currently investigating why and how this has happened.

"We have been in contact with SEPA and North Ayrshire Council in order to establish the cause and to ensure that the appropriate corrective actions are in place.

"Early indications suggest that this is an isolated incident.

"John Robertson & Sons has been operating from this site since 1983 and this this is the only incident to have taken place of this kind.

"The company has always been and will continue to be committed to its environmental responsibilities."

David McNay, SEPA Unit Manager, said:

“Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and investigates all reports of pollution.

“On Monday 23 July SEPA became aware of reports about a discharge onto the beach at Ardrossan, with concerns that it may be coming from a nearby animal processing facility.

“A SEPA officer inspected the beach at low tide, and found a small surface water flow but no ongoing pollution. They also visited the facility and identified a surface water drain on the site that could allow wash-down water to escape the site. SEPA is clear that compliance with environmental regulations is non-negotiable, and has stressed to the operator that steps must be taken to prevent such a discharge in the future.

“Regular testing of the water quality at Saltcoats / Ardrossan has been ongoing since the bathing water season began at the start of June, and these samples were well within the acceptable limits at the time that the discharge was reported."