A family visiting a popular Kent beach say their trip to the coast was ruined after having to “wade through a waterfall of effluent” pouring out of nearby public toilets.

Grim pictures show the overflow “cascading down the steps” leading to Broadstairs’ Botany Bay, which holds coveted Blue Flag status and is famous for its golden sand and white chalk stacks.

There have long been calls to upgrade the “inadequate” facilities just off Marine Drive, but holidaymaker Angela Abrahams says something needs to be done as soon as possible, likening the scene to “a third-world country”.

Mrs Abrahams, from Sutton, visited the Thanet beach with her family, including her two young grandchildren, and has vowed not to return after seeing the “appalling” sight.

“We spent about four hours on the beach having the most fantastic time,” she said.

“Just before lunch, we decided to head off, intending to come back down after, but as we started to climb the stairs, we could see a cascade of urine coming down.

“The smell was unbelievable and at first we attempted to walk on the bit of the foliage at the side, but that became impossible.

“Instead we had to wade through a waterfall of effluent.

“We had no option, and I cannot tell you how awful that was - it's appalling in this day and age.”

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches, with recipients having to meet a number of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.

“It's all very well the council promoting and celebrating a Blue Flag beach, which is just amazing, but if you can't go to the toilet or even walk past the toilets, it's like a third-world country,” Mrs Abrahams said.

“You can't just have a beach, you've got to have facilities, and that toilet block is not fit for purpose.

“I wouldn't be surprised if people went away with something nasty.

“I'm quite a frequent visitor, but I'm not going back again.

“The most important bit, the health and safety of people visiting, doesn't seem to be considered.”

Local resident Tina Hubbard, who regularly walks her dog along the coast, says she would not be surprised if the beach loses its Blue Flag status if issues with the toilets continue.

The 71-year-old said: “It was a Saturday in the summer holidays; it wasn't actually that busy, but it's still too busy for two toilets that don't operate properly.

“I saw a mother trying to get down to the beach with her young children and she was carrying the baby and the little boy - he slipped and fell at one point in it.

“Going down to the beach you can at least have a paddle and get it off your shoes, but coming back up through it, you can't.

“I welcome the visitors - I just feel very ashamed that all we can offer them at this beautiful beach is stinky toilets.

“Thanet District Council (TDC) made funds available for the renovation or restoration of toilet blocks on its beaches but Botany Bay didn't get anything.”

The toilet facilities in Botany Bay are only open from late March to September, meaning those needing the loo at any other time are left with nowhere to go.

Even when they are open, the loos are often left in a poor state with rubbish left on the sink and waste overflowing onto the floor.

TDC says, following a review, it is investing £1.25 million to improve existing public toilets.

On the issues at Botany Bay, it added: “The council provides public toilets for the benefit of residents and visitors, at key locations across Thanet. We have started work to improve them.

“There are plans to put forward a proposal to improve the public toilets at Botany Bay. If these plans are approved and funding secured, new accessible toilets will be installed, with work expected to start in 2025.”