A “no-swim” warning has been removed from a Kent beach after testing showed the water quality had returned to an acceptable level.

Swimmers were first warned on September 24 that swimming at Shakespeare Beach in Dover was unsafe.

This was due to the risk of waste being carried into the harbour by tides from a pollution incident from a sewage outfall near the bay.

The Port of Dover, which oversees the stretch of coastline, previously confirmed daily water testing would continue until the beach can safely be reopened.

Results disclosed on Thursday that the restrictions on Shakespeare Beach could be removed as the water quality had returned to the necessary level for bathing.

However, further testing was needed down the coastline in the harbour area, which only reached the required level in today's test results.

A port spokesperson said in a statement: “Our in-house environment team has continued to monitor the water quality daily.

“We are pleased that both the Shakespeare Beach and Harbour results have now reached the required level for bathing.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding as we monitored the situation.”

The Environment Agency and Southern Water previously confirmed the initial cause of the drop in water quality had been resolved.

No-swim warnings remain at two Kent beaches - Littlestone and St Mary’s Bay, both on the Romney Marsh.