Farm slurry polluted a stream leading to bathing water

The Environment Agency said an unnamed stream, which runs into Llangrannog beach, had been polluted by farm slurry.

As a precaution, the agency added that Ceredigion County Council was urging bathers to stay away until further notice.

Members of the public alerted the agency to the pollution on Thursday.

Ged Davies, the Environment Agency's manager for Ceredigion said: "It is unfortunate that this incident has occurred at the height of the bathing water season.

"It is in everyone's interests to ensure that bathing waters are of the highest standard and to prevent pollution entering streams.

"In this instance, we are grateful for the prompt report of the incident by members of the public.

Environment Agency Wales and Ceredigion County Council will continue to work together with the community to aim for improved and protected water quality Ged Davies of the Environment Agency

River and bathing water samples from the area have been sent for analysis.

Daily bacteriological sampling of the water will continue until results show that it is safe for people to bathe.

Mr Davies added: "Environment Agency Wales and Ceredigion County Council will continue to work together with the community to aim for improved and protected water quality."

In December last year, an investigation was launched to try to find out why Llangrannog beach was the only one in Wales to fall below European standards.

It is considered one of the most popular beaches along the Cardigan Bay coastline, but contamination of the water led to it falling to achieve EU mandatory standards.