Bathers have been told not to enter the sea at two Kent beaches due to an increased risk of pollutants following recent bad weather.

The Environment Agency issued a warning on Tuesday after it found levels were raised in Viking Bay, Broadstairs.

But now a separate warning has been issued today for Herne Bay, the stretch between the small launch ramp at Neptune car park and Bishopstone Lane, Reculver.

A Canterbury City Council spokesman said: “The Environment Agency issued a pollution risk forecast this morning.

“This means there might be some short-term pollution in the bathing water today at Herne Bay beach – the stretch between the small launch ramp at Neptune and Bishopstone Lane, Reculver.

“As the name suggests, this is a forecast of the potential risk of pollution, not an actual pollution incident.”

A warning was also issued for Viking Bay on Tuesday and remains in place today.

The government agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of heavy rainfall, wind or the tide.

It comes after unseasonably wet and windy conditions this month battered the county.

These factors affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams and how they disperse.

The Environment Agency says when these combine to make short-term pollution likely, it issues a pollution risk warning and the beach manager will display a sign advising against bathing.

A spokesman said: “Throughout the bathing season, we make daily pollution risk forecasts for a number of bathing waters, where water quality may be temporarily reduced based on factors, such as heavy rainfall, wind or the tide.

“When a temporary reduction in water quality is forecast, we issue a pollution risk warning and advice against bathing.

“This enables bathers to avoid times or locations where the risk of pollution is higher than normal, and health risks from bathing may be higher than the annual classification suggests.”

There has been no storm overflow sewage activity by Southern Water at Viking Bay since June 20.

The firm releases combined sewage overflows into the sea and rivers to prevent homes and businesses from flooding to relieve the network.

Southern Water says the releases are made up to 95% rainwater and are permitted by the Environment Agency.

A Thanet District Council spokesman said: “In response to a pollution risk warning issued [on Tuesday] by the Environment Agency, the council has displayed signs advising against bathing at Viking Bay in Broadstairs.

“These signs are displayed to advise the public that water quality is likely to be reduced so they can make an informed decision whether to swim.

“Water quality testing is carried out by the Environment Agency between May and September each year.”