HUNDREDS gathered at Teignmouth seafront at the weekend as part of a nationwide protest against sewage pollution.

In one of the largest protests of its type seen in the resort, organisers estimated between 400 and 500 protesters gathered on Teignmouth seafront to demand action to stop sewage pollution.

The gathering at the Pier was part of a series of national Paddle Out protests organised by Surfers Against Sewage.

Stuart Reynolds, chairman of the Friends of the River Teign, and MP Martin Wrigley addressed the protest, before water users took to the sea.

Mr Reynolds said: ‘It was inspiring to get in the water and be surrounded by a community of water users with the same simple demand - clean water, now.’

Teignmouth town councillor Penny Lloyd, who helped organise the event with Vicky Gardner, said: ‘It was very moving to see so many sea swimmers, paddle boarders, surfers, rowers, and kayakers join us.

‘This was the largest anti-sewage protest we have seen in Teignmouth.’

She said there was a demand to make sure water companies are held to account and that the protesters were against ‘water pollution for profit by water companies’.

She added: ‘People are understandably and justifiably angry about this situation, cross and disheartened that we’re still campaigning, after all these years.

‘We want to push the issue up in the political agenda, so we can get meaningful change.’

Mr Wrigley stressed the need for the Government to do more to address the problem, pledging to carry on pressing for change.

He said: ‘People are understandably and justifiably angry about this situation, cross and disheartened that we're still campaigning, after all these years.’

The protest was part of a weekend of events designed to raise awareness of the problems caused by sewage pollution in beaches and rivers.

On Sunday, Exmouth campaigner, Jo Bateman, who is currently suing South West Water, attended a sell out screening of “Jo in the Water” at the Pavilions Teignmouth.