SWIMMERS have been advised to stay out of the sea near to where a water company has dumped wastewater following a power cut.

Southern Water took emergency action following a “total power outage” at its East Worthing Pumping Station overnight on Tuesday.

The company said it released excess wastewater through its long sea outfall 3km out to sea until around 12.50pm on Wednesday.

A company official said it immediately activated plans to protect homes and business in the town from flooding and brought in tankers and flood defences as a precautionary measure as well as a beach patrol team to monitor the area.

Generators have been moved to the pump station allowing the site to be fully functional.

Southern Water was fined £160,000 in September 2015 for breaching environmental regulations when pumping raw sewage into the sea after three pumps failed at the East Worthing station.

The pollution formed a visible slick of pollution in the water and closed ten miles of beaches over four days in September 2012.

A spokesman said: “We are working closely with our colleagues at the Environment Agency and local authority.

“We would like to thank people for their patience and understanding while we work to resolve this issue as quickly and safely as possible.”