Dozens of people had their festive sea-swimming plans scuppered because of sewage releases over the Christmas period - with one lasting more than 20 hours.

The recent incidents are part of an ongoing saga of Southern Water dumping waste water into the sea, with reports of people falling ill after taking a dip.

Southern Water says the releases were necessary after heavy rainfall.

But the SOS Whitstable group, which was launched by 11 members of local sea swimming group Bubbletit Bluetits this summer to campaign against the pollution, say there is “no end in sight” following the latest incident.

One of the founding members, Sally Burtt-Jones, says at least 50 people have cancelled swims in Whitstable and Tankerton so far because of the releases over the Christmas holidays.

The waste water was unleashed from the Swalecliffe combined sewer overflow for dozens of hours between Christmas Eve and Tuesday - with a release on December 24 lasting for more than 20 hours.

Ms Burtt-Jones said: “It started raining on Christmas Eve but there wasn’t a big storm or anything - it was just a normal amount of rain.

“It was at that point where I thought there was no way people would be able to swim on Christmas Day.

“I checked on Christmas morning and there had already been 12 hours of releases so I chose not to swim.

“That [release] then got verified as being more than 20 hours so I am quite glad I didn’t go in. It is really disappointing.”

Festive swims - which are a tradition for many people - were cancelled in the district and there are now fears more will be cancelled over the holiday season.

“There is a pretty big swim on New Year’s Day,” Ms Burtt-Jones added.

“Some people sign up for the event online but then lots more people turn up on the day. There are about 40 signed up so far.

“They are really important and a lovely opportunity to get together with like-minded people and we have spent a lot of time with each other during Covid and it is a nice opportunity to do something amazing outside.

“It doesn’t feel as risky as going to a pub or being at someone’s house.

“It is a wonderful way to be able to have closure in having lots of different people in a safe environment outside and the swimming makes us feel amazing as well.”

The site in Swalecliffe has long been a source of misery for neighbours, who regularly raise concerns about a “vile” stench in the area and pollution released into the nearby brook and sea.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: "The releases shown on our Beachboy app for Tankerton between December 24 and 28 are verified, and are notifications of compliant storm water releases made as a result of heavy rainfall to prevent internal flooding to local homes, schools, hospitals and businesses."

It was reported earlier this month that water company bosses have threatened to take action to recover non-payments from residents who are refusing to pay their bills.

A number of frustrated people - including Faversham-based rocker Bob Geldof - have vowed to withhold payment from the under-fire company until the issue is resolved.

Locals are refusing to pay the Southern Water portion of the charge, while still paying South East Water, which issues a joint bill on behalf of both firms.

And both companies have now told residents “further action will be taken to recover the non-payment”.

Southern Water was hit with a record £90 million fine in July after unleashing up to 21 billion litres of sewage into protected waters between 2010 and 2015.

A public meeting was called in August at St John’s Centre, Swalecliffe, where Southern Water was grilled about releases from its treatment works.

Two directors said about £16 million would be spent to improve the site.