Swimmers were advised not to go into the water after a sewage leak off the Kent coast.

The warning came from the Environment Agency following a release of wastewater overnight off Dover, but advised people not to swim off Folkestone.

Environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage also advised bathers not to swim in the sea.

The Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the water quality was likely to have been reduced following a sewage leak.

A pollution risk warning was put in place from 5am, and was lifted at 9.30am today (Saturday).

Southern Water staff have apologised after high gas levels at one of their treatment sites paused pumps, and as a result, wastewater was released.

It primarily affects Sunny Sands beach, where sewer overflows discharge via an outfall pipe.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We are investigating the release of raw sewage from a Southern Water pipe out at sea overnight on August 11/12 at Dover.

"Our current advice to swimmers and others members of the public is to stay out of the sea at Folkestone until Saturday morning.

"Updates on daily water advice can be found online by searching 'swimfo'.

"Anyone with concerns about suspected environmental pollution can call our 24 hour incidents line 0800 807060."

A spokesman for Southern Water added: "On the night of August 11, our Broomfield Park wastewater treatment site experienced high gas levels, activating a safety system and halting pumps in order to protect the site and the working environment for our staff.

"This resulted in the release of wastewater via the long sea outfall, 2.7km out to sea for approx 170 minutes.

"Our team responded quickly and safely to rectify the situation, and restarted the pumps.

"Extensive modelling has been carried out, taking into consideration tides, wind and the volume of the release, (which was low due to the time of night and the fact that flows into site had been slowed by the pumps ceasing).

"It concludes that there is no impact on water quality at any bathing water sites.

"We are undertaking beach walks just as a matter of precaution.

"We are very sorry that this release happened and are undertaking an investigation to prevent this from happening again."

The beach has not closed.

This is the latest in a string of sewage-related incidents along the Kent coast.

Most recently, a couple criticised Southern Water for releasing sewage into the sea 24 hours before they went for a swim, leading to them contracting gastroenteritis.

Georgia Hearn, from Gateshead, was visiting Herne Bay with her partner Chris and dog Sully, and they went swimming and paddleboarding in the sea.

On Tuesday the three of them were struck down by a serious case of gastroenteritis, and Miss Hearn said it ruined their holiday.