Five new bathing sites on River Dart and River Erme in Devon

Five locations in Devon have been made designated bathing water sites following community campaigns.

The sites on the River Dart and the River Erme were recognised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

They were designated alongside 22 others in the UK.

The upgraded status means they will be tested for pollution by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season, from 15 May to the end of September.

It comes after campaigning by community action groups Friends Of The Dart and Wild About The Erme River.

Four of the five new sites are located on the River Dart, including at Totnes (Steamer Quay), Dittisham (The Ham), Stoke Gabriel (creek) and Warfleet Dartmouth.

In a statement South West Water said: "We welcome Defra's announcement today of new designated bathing waters in our region.

"We will continue to work with our partners and other stakeholders to deliver improvements to water quality at those sites where required."

Hannah Pearson, Friends Of The Dart founding director, said she was delighted by the result after 18 months of campaigning.

She said the group's applications for bathing water status had an "unprecedented amount of support".

"There are still many challenges ahead, so this designation will act as a lever for long-term positive change and clearly shows that when communities come together and take collaborative action, real change can happen," she said.

"We're also immensely grateful for all who supported us, including Surfers Against Sewage whose initial support and funding helped us get this off the ground."

Bathing water status means the Environment Agency is obliged to test the river weekly for harmful bacteria during the bathing season.

Ms Pearson said: "Using their results, and only at the end of the bathing season, the Environment Agency will then classify the site as either excellent, good, satisfactory or poor.

"This new data will create enhanced focus and pressure upon South West Water to reduce sewage spills into the Dart."

The fifth designated bathing water site in Devon was awarded to Coastguards Beach on the River Erme.

Charlotte Grezo, from Wild About The Erme River, said volunteers were doing all they could to reduce the effects of pollution with practical activities such as litter picks and beach cleans.

"We welcome bathing water designation for Coastguards Beach and hope this will be a positive mechanism for change to better protect the River Erme and all those who live, work and play around this estuary site," she said.

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external.