New tests will have to made to maintain Blue Flag status

Last week there was a water quality scare at Meadfoot Beach in Torquay.

But it has been discovered that many of the samples came from outside the designated area.

One showed up sewage bacteria at levels 20 times higher than the permitted limit.

The cause of the pollution has not been found.

The Environment Agency, which takes the tests, has been trying to find out why the sample was taken from a slipway outside the designated area.

It has since discovered that eight other tests were also taken from that slipway.

It means the agency has to carry out the tests again if Meadfoot is to hold onto its Blue Flag status.

Meadfoot has not failed a water quality test in the designated Blue Flag area since 1994.