13 sites that have been granted Designated Bathing Water Status have levels of E.coli above 1,000 colonies per 100ml, the maximum level considered safe for bathing

Dangerous levels of the bacterium Escherichia coli have been found in half of the 27 new bathing sites unveiled by the Conservative Government in May.

Water Minister Robbie Moore said at the time that the new swimming spots would be “incredibly valuable” and provide “social, physical and positive health and wellbeing benefits” for people around the country.

But i analysis of Environment Agency sampling data shows all of the sites have tested positive for E.coli bacteria at some point in the past month.