Human faeces in our rivers is putting the public in danger and the risk will increase without action, the UK’s top engineers and scientists have warned in a report.

The report led by the Royal Society of Engineering called for an upgrade of the UK’s sewage system and more widespread testing of the country’s waterways.

Prof Chris Whitty - the UK’s chief medical officer - said it was a “public health priority as well as an environmental one”.

The government said the largest infrastructure programme in water company history was currently taking place.