Beach lovers have just days to give their views on the future of a popular seaside area as a place for paddling, swimming and watersports.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is consulting on the issue because Allonby South Beach has failed tests for bacteria linked to faecal pollution.

Allerdale Council has applied for the beach to be removed from the list of designated bathing waters on the grounds of low usage.

There is evidence over several years that the beach is seldom used for bathing, including a survey carried out by the council on 29 days between May and September 2017, when no one was seen swimming or paddling in the water.

If the beach loses its designation as a bathing place, the council will stop testing the water for sewage pollution.

Organiser of Solway beach cleaning group, Fix the Firth, John Gorrill, said: “It’s a terrible idea. We constantly find cotton buds, wet wipes, sanitary pads and syringes that have probably come through the sewage system.

“If the testing stops, the problem will get worse.”

Mr Gorrill feels the loss of a bathing beach will be a blow for the local economy and an admission of failure to protect both sea and shore.

A spokesperson for the council told The Cumberland News: “Following a review of the area and a public consultation, a de-designation of Allonby South as a bathing water has been submitted to DEFRA by the council.

“This is due to low usage and a lack of facilities to support bathing in the area. However, the beach itself can still be enjoyed and will remain open.”

Mr Gorrill added: “People know what’s in the water so they don’t go in. If the sea water is polluted then the sand and seaweed will also be infected by sewage bacteria.

“North Cumbria is not a built up area, we pay for and deserve better than this.”

For more details visit consult.defra.gov.uk/water/bathing-water-removing-allonby-south/. The consultation ends next Thursday.