Walney water lets down Cumbria

Most beaches in Cumbria passed the tests

New research shows the quality of bathing water around parts of Walney Island is poorer than other areas of Cumbria.

Water off Walney Sandy Gap, near Barrow-in-Furness, was the only bathing water in the county to fail tests set by the Department for Environment.

Walney West Shore and Askam-in-Furness, which both failed last year, have now passed.

More than 97% of water in the North West met the necessary bathing water standards.

More work

Agency water quality spokesman John Broughton said: "We can never remain complacent, and we must make sure that these high standards are maintained.

"If possible we must build upon this to achieve even better results next year - there is still a lot of work to be done."

A spokesman for water company United Utilities said £3bn was being spent over five years to bring standards up to scratch.

He said: "We have three investment programmes which will have a significant impact on bathing waters."

Earlier this year the European Union criticised bathing water standards in West Cumbria.

In August a £9m plan was announced to build one of the most advanced water treatment plants in the world.

The plan has been designed to reduce the flow of sewage into the Irish Sea.