Many Sussex resorts are unable to apply for coveted blue flags for their beaches because the sea water is not clean enough.

Among them are Brighton and Hove, which together form the biggest and most popular resort in the county.

Southern Water is being blamed for sea water not reaching the desired quality, yet the company is undertaking a programme of improving sewage discharge.

One reason the water quality in Brighton and Hove falls below the required level is the antiquated sewage works at Portobello, near Telscombe Cliffs.

The company wanted to improve this yet it was defeated earlier this year following a lengthy public inquiry.

Some of the people now complaining about sea water quality are among those who opposed the Portobello expansion.

It is hard to see where Southern Water goes from here. The company is looking at many other sites for dealing with sewage from the Brighton and Hove area.

But all of them will have disadvantages and when one is selected, the outcry is likely to be even greater than that against Portobello which after all has been a sewage site for more than a century.

There were cheers when the Portobello result was announced but, like the water itself, the decision may eventually leave a bitter taste in many mouths.

It's going to be years before any site is found and meanwhile there's little chance of the biggest resort in Sussex gaining a blue flag.