People angry at pollution on beaches, rivers and lakes in Kent and beyond held protests over the state of the country’s waters.

Demonstrations took place on Saturday as part of a nationwide campaign led by the group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

Protests were carried out at Hythe beach and Viking Bay in Broadstairs as part of a coordinated series of ‘paddle-out’ events across the country.

The outpouring of anger at the dumping of sewage by water companies comes on the heels of the revelation that streams running through one Kent village were polluted on almost 250 occasions last year.

A wastewater and sewage treatment works in Hawkhurst, between Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells, released overflows into streams more times than at any other location in the county in 2023, according to Environment Agency data.

More than 200 people from all over Kent attended the Hythe protest event.

Speeches were given by the newly elected Mayor of Hythe Cllr Penny Graham, a Green Party representative, a Greenpeace advocate and local supporters fighting for action.

Giles Bristow, chief executive of SAS, said: “We want the regulator and the government to hold the water companies to account.

“We need them to enforce the law and we need to prioritise nature-based solutions because we need to clean this stuff up quickly.

“We want to see an end to sewage pollution in the places that we swim and surf, and in high-priority nature sites, by 2030 at the very latest.”

Industry regulator Ofwat is expected to deliver its recommendations on water companies’ investment plans for the period 2025-2030 next month.

Water companies have put forward proposals for £11 billion in investment aimed at reducing sewage discharges, with customer bills expected to increase in tandem.

The damage from sewage flowing into Kent’s waters is reflected by the fact the number of the county’s beaches awarded an acclaimed Blue Flag has been slashed this year.

Margate Main Sands and Stone Bay, both in Thanet, missed out on the accolade this year, as did the Leas in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey.

It brings the total number of Blue Flag beaches to six following the latest round of inspections, down from nine last year.