Three coastline areas will receive extra environmental protection.

Worthing Borough Council said The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced on Monday that it will designate the sea off Goring Beach and Beach House Grounds in Worthing as bathing waters.

Rottingdean beach has also become a designated bathing area.

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The success of the applications means that from May 15, these areas will be monitored for pollution by the Environment Agency who will hold those responsible for the pollution to account.

This monitoring involves testing for harmful bacteria such as E.coli. 

Alan Lovell, Environment Agency chairman, said: “Overall bathing water quality has improved massively over the last decade due to targeted and robust regulation from the Environment Agency, and the good work carried out by partners and local groups. 

“We know that improvements can take time and investment from the water industry, farmers and local communities, but where the investment is made, standards can improve.”