Surfers are staging an all-day 'bogathon' vigil in Brighton to protest about raw sewage pumped into the sea.

Supporters of Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are taking it in turns to sit on a loo between the piers on Brighton beach until 7pm today as part of their campaign for clean water.

The surfers are calling on Southern Water to come up with a solution for the future treatment of Brighton's sewage, which is pumped from Portobello long sea outfall at Telscombe Cliffs.

Richard Hardy, a full-time campaigner for SAS, said: "Brighton is one of the only cities this size in the country not to have a high level treatment system for sewage."

Mr Hardy, who lives in Cornwall, says SAS is demanding full sewage treatment by UV disinfection.

Joining the unusual vigil were Eddie Raphael, 32, and Matt Wreford, 25.

Mr Wreford said: "We saw the surfers from our hotel room and thought we'd do our bit."

Mr Raphael said: "I was happy to take part in the 'bogathon' because I think sewage pollution on beaches should be stopped."

Green MEP Dr Caroline Lucas came along to add her support.

A Southern Water spokeswoman said: "Brighton and Hove is the only coastal resort in Sussex not to benefit from modern wastewater treatment, which is why Southern Water wants to see the new treatment works provided as quickly as possible.

"Following the refusal of planning permission by the Secretary of State to build at Portobello, after a public inquiry, the company set up a team to review locations across its region to provide a modern works to serve Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area.

"The team is continuing with this extensive exercise."