DOZENS of frustrated surfers took to the waves in protest of the vote against a bill which could have prevented raw sewage spills.

MPs voted to remove a House of Lords amendment which aimed to clean up rivers by placing a new duty on water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges.

Michael Tomlinson MP, who represents Mid Dorset and North Poole, Sir Robert Syms MP, who represents Poole, and Chris Loder MP, who represents West Dorset, all voted in favour of rejecting the proposal.

Bournemouth Echo: Surfers gather on Bournemouth beach in protest against environmental bill vote

In a bid to protect the sea against sewage dumps, surfers united in protest just off Bournemouth pier.

One of the people involved, Sorted Surf Shop owner Jeff Skeoch, said: “It was a good opportunity to come down and let the voice of the community be heard.

“We’re not okay with the current state of things. From Sorted’s point of view, we’re constantly hearing reports of people getting ill.

“It’s a problem that needs to be addressed. It’s only going to get worse as the population increases.

“Unless something is done, it’s going to render our coastline unusable and unsafe, it’s just to try and get some commitment to action.

“We’ve definitely noticed more and more people getting ill. More smells and odours in the water, more incidents of people getting ill, so it needs to change.”

Bournemouth Echo: Surfers gather on Bournemouth beach in protest against environmental bill vote

The surfers gathered in a circle in the sea with the words “say no to sewage” written on boards, while protesters stood on the beach with a sign reading “Bournemouth’s poo flag beaches”.

Keen local surfer, Guy Penwarden, described the vote was “regressive”.

He said: “People are going out and coming back ill in some cases, it’s happening too much now, people have got kids, they’re going out and getting ill.

“With wetsuit technology, people are here all year round, it’s billed as a year-round tourist destination, if you want that, at least make it safe for people.

“Infrastructure won’t be cheap, none of this is cheap, but if they take a bit off my pension for it then I’m okay with that.”

Bournemouth Echo: Surfers gather on Bournemouth beach in protest against environmental bill vote

Richard Smith, surfer in Bournemouth for more than 50 years, said: “We’ve had this problem now all the time, nothing has really been done.

“On days of storms, when the wind is blowing on shore, it brings the sewage straight back to the beach.

“For a beach that’s got blue flags, 365 days a year resort, it’s not very good for them.

“If you come down here on a day when there are waves, there are 50, 60, 70 surfers, a lot of people use these beaches.”