Bathers are being warned to steer clear of a Kent beach after heavy rainfall.

The Environment Agency has advised of short term pollution on Sunny Sands beach at Folkestone, as heavy rainfall "washes faecal material into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams."

At this site the risk of encountering reduced water quality increases after rainfall and typically returns to normal after one to three days.

The Environment Agency makes daily pollution risk forecasts based on rainfall patterns and issues a pollution risk warning if heavy rainfall occurs.

A total of 16 warnings advising against swimming due to an increase risk of short term pollution were issued last year for Folkestone bathing water.

These warnings were issued because of the effects of heavy rain on the water quality.