North Yorkshire Council have announced their unanimous support for local environment group Save Our Swale's bid for bathing water status for the local river.

The council acknowledged the efforts of the environmental group to improve the water quality of the River Swale.

A spokesperson for Save Our Swale was delighted by the decision and praised the cross-party element in the decision. 

The council now officially supports a bathing water application to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the River Swale in Richmond.

A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said: "We believe that the River Swale is an important resource for the people of Richmond and the wider area of North Yorkshire.

"We also believe that improving the quality of the Swale will have significant benefits for the environment, public health, recreation and the local economy.

"Supporting the bathing water application for the River Swale is in the best interests of the people of Richmond and North Yorkshire.

"This council notes that Save Our Swale (a group dedicated to improving the water quality in the whole of the River Swale) is working with other individuals and organisations on a bathing water application and that this application requires the support of the local authority which is North Yorkshire Council."

Deborah Meara, a founder of Save Our Swale, described how important the decision was for the group.

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo, click here

Most read

She said: "We are delighted that North Yorkshire Council has, across all political parties unanimously voted in favour of a motion to support Designated Bathing Water Status for the Richmond stretch of the River Swale.

"We owe many thanks to Cllr's Stuart Parsons and Kevin Foster for their work on this.

"We also appreciate this cross-party support which makes clear that the protection of the River Swale for recreation and wildlife is important to us all."