Botany Bay was one of those to be shut because of a sewage spill

An inquiry is to be held after a sewage spill forced several Kent beaches to close for more than a week.

Thanet District Council shut all the district's beaches for swimming as raw sewage began entering the sea in June.

Red flags were placed on more than 20 beaches urging people not to enter the water after a failure at the Southern Water sewage pumping station at Foreness Point.

Now a council probe is to look into how the situation - which happened over the jubilee Bank Holiday weekend - was managed.

Ian Driver, chairman of Thanet council's overview and scrutiny panel, said: "The purpose of the investigation is to find out how effectively Thanet council, the Environment Agency and Southern Water managed this serious environmental pollution incident, and whether any lessons can be learned which might improve the way we respond to any future incidents.

"The meetings are open to the public and I would encourage anyone who is concerned about how we manage our beaches and deal with pollution to come along."

He also called on businesses and anyone using Thanet's beaches who were affected by the spillage to come forward if they wished to give evidence.

After hearing evidence, councillors will make recommendations about any improvements that can be made to better manage any future sewage pollution.

Four meetings are due to take place from September, with the public interviews being heard on Thursday, October 11.