Bathing warning lifted after pollution investigation

Officials have withdrawn advice for people not to bathe at Portstewart Strand after tests of the water showed it posed no risk to the public.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) issued the notice at the popular north coast beach on Wednesday following a suspected pollution incident.

That was to allow the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Daera to take water samples as part of their investigation.

Daera said on Thursday that levels of bacteria from sewage or animal waste, were not high enough to pose a risk.

County Down beach warning also removed

The National Trust, who manage the beach, confirmed they had been notified that water sampling had "returned within normal limits".

The warning for Portstewart Strand had advised members of the public against swimming and recommended that dogs be kept on leads and away from the water while officials investigated.

Signs warning people against bathing have now been removed.

Daera said that a similar temporary advice against bathing notice issued for Helen's Bay in County Down on Tuesday has also been lifted following water testing.