Allonby's south beach fails water test

A small west Cumbrian community is worried for its future after its local beach failed to reach minimum bathing water standards.

Businesses in Allonby rely on tourism. Now local people are worried that will mean a drop in visitors after what's already been the worst season they have ever known.

It's the first time in 17 years that Allonby Bay's south beach has failed to meet the minimum European standards for bathing water and the findings have been blamed mainly on the incredibly wet summer.

It has meant that pollution has been washed from villages and farmlands into rivers and streams and subsequently into the sea.

The news is of great concern to businesses who rely heavily on tourism to stay afloat. For Peter Blake who runs a hotel in the village the rain has already led to the worst season he has ever known,

So cleaning up Allonby's south beach is important for all of Allonby.

But it's not all bad new, this is one of only three in the whole of Cumbria that failed to make the grade, the beach to the north of the bay passed as did St Bees, Silloth, Silecroft and Seascale and nationally 93% of beaches all met the minimum standards.

United Utilities have spent millions upgrading their wastewater network and the have said they're committed to working with the environment agency, with councils and with the National farmers Union to stop pollution getting into the sea.

Whether or not that can happen in time for the 2013 tourist season is another matter.