Swimmers have been told to “stay out the water” after a sewer pipe burst at a seaside beauty spot.

Canterbury City Council (CCC) has confirmed that Southern Water’s sewer pipe burst in Bishopstone, in Beltinge, leading to sewage flowing into Bishopstone Glen.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon and although the spill from the burst sewer pipe on Gainsborough Drive/Fairfax Drive was stopped at 6pm repairs are still ongoing today.

Southern Water is using four tankers to manage wastewater flows and has also installed an overpump to manage flows until the burst pipe is repaired.

A CCC spokesman said: “As the burst is now contained and recognising it is in a residential area, Southern Water are planning to repair the pipe on Sunday, March 24.

“Southern Water’s bathing water expert has investigated the potential spill into the sea, and based on modelling, the discharge is predicted to have had no impact on any designated bathing water.

“As a precaution, we have erected signs advising people to stay out of the water.

“Environmental samples have also been taken by Southern Water and the Environment Agency.”

Southern Water has apologised for the inconvenience and is due to provide a further update today.