A bathing warning remains in place at a beach popular with swimmers and paddleboards.

Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside has a water quality warning in place for pollution and bathing in the sea there is being advised against.

The beach is a popular spot with paddleboarders and swimmers with the bay often busy with people enjoying the water during the summer months, and is sure to be busy this bank holiday weekend with warm weather expected.

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It is currently the only North East beach with a pollution warning in place.

A statement on the Surfers Against Sewage website which maps over 400 pollution overflows in the country and publishes water quality warnings said: “Bathing not advised due to poor annual classification.

The Northern Echo: Cullercoats beach. (Image: NNP)Cullercoats beach. (Image: NNP)

“Cullercoats is a resort beach enclosed by piers at each end making a very sheltered bay. Although there are no sewer overflows discharging directly at Tynemouth Cullercoats, [there is] a large discharge into the River Tyne which meets the sea just to the south of the bathing water.”

The bay is frequently packed out with visitors to the seaside enjoying the beautiful scenery amid the warm weather.

This bank holiday weekend the Met Office has said to expect good spells of sun bringing warmth, but slightly cooler temperatures along the coast.


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Earlier this month seven beaches across the region were awarded the coveted blue flag status for 2023, highlighting them among the best in the UK.

The seven beaches in our region given the award are: Tynemouth Longsands, Tynemouth King Edwards Bay, Whitley Bay, Roker, Seaburn, Scarborough North Bay and Whitby.

To get the gong a beach is rated on its water quality, environmental management including litter and waste, environmental information available to visitors and the safety and services in place such as first aid and lifeguards where necessary.