Levels of pollution flowing into the sea will be tested

Officers from the Environment Agency will be visiting 39 high-risk sites across the region which have had pollution problems before.

The aim of the checks is to spot any potential dangers before tourists begin to arrive next month.

Inspectors are set to target Weston-super-Mare, Burnham and Minehead among others.

They will test what is being pumped into the sea through outlet pipes and check for rubbish and dog mess on the beaches.

The South West's tourism industry is hoping for a bumper season this year - the war in Iraq has seen a drop in the numbers of people taking foreign holidays.