Locals are calling for more information after restrictions were issued on two of its award-winning beaches days before the bank holiday weekend.

Pollution warnings were first issued in Thanet at Minnis Bay after reports thousands of dead ragworms and lugworms were found.

Over the following days, coastal visitors were told to stay out of the water at Birchington-on-sea and West Bay.

With no timeline issued on when the advice against bathing could be removed, many have wondered what the future holds ahead of the holiday weekend.

Richard Turnnidge is the Director of Development at Minnis Bay Windsurfing Club, which has been in the area for 40 years.

He’s called for more information from the authorities so he and the nearly 100 club members, some of whom come from as far away as Dartford to the bay, can make an informed decision.

He told KentOnline: “I think we need to know the facts and the risks. So, if it is a natural phenomenon with natural algae, what are the risks to people in the water?

“Unless someone scientifically tells us one way or the other, as a club, we don't know what the issue is and whether the water's safe until someone tells us, we need information.

“If this stretches further around the coast and they tell people they can't go in the sea, that would be a nightmare for tourism and everybody who comes to the beach for the school holidays.”

Tony Hobbs, who works at the West Bay Kiosk, agrees that the lack of information has been damaging to beachgoers.

He said: “There’s been no information at all, and I feel for the people who use the beach huts because hearing that the beach is closed causes them worry.

“Normally, even on a quiet day, I’d take about £ 80, but today, I’ll be lucky if I take £30.

“You lose punters because they don’t want to walk here, especially dog walkers because they aren’t allowed on the beach.”

Minnis Bay was one of six Kent beaches that gained a Blue Flag award last week. Keep Britain Tidy awards blue flags to well-managed seafronts with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

Thanet’s Margate Main Sand and Stone Bay missed out on the accolade in a year that Kent’s representatives slashed as sewage discharges continued to plague the shores.

Environmental activists are resolute in their dissatisfaction with the current situation. They demand more water quality testing and increased accountability from the authorities.

In a statement, the Environment Agency confirmed the cause behind the recent closure.

A spokesperson said: “The Environment Agency has carried out a range of tests to determine the cause of the shellfish and invertebrate deaths at Minnis Bay.

“Results confirm that the deaths are due to a very large algal bloom which has since died back, causing a drop in oxygen levels in the water.”

“We are awaiting the results of tests that will determine the type of algae.

“Advice against bathing will remain in place until these results are received.”