Shinewater Lake restrictions lifted after sewage spill

Restrictions at a lake in East Sussex are being lifted following a major sewage leak last month.

The public had been urged to stay away from Shinewater Lake, Eastbourne, after a pipe owned by Southern Water ruptured into more than a mile of stream.

A criminal investigation started as Environment Agency officers re-oxygenated the lake to protect the loss of fish and other wildlife.

Spokesman Michael Turner said the sewage was diverted away from the lake.

"What we managed to do during the incident was minimise the damage and protect the lake," he said.

"No fish were killed and a few swans were rescued... and the water buffalo are now back where they belong on the marsh."

He said restrictions urging people and their pets to avoid contact with the water had been lifted by Eastbourne Borough Council and warning signs were being removed.

Mr Turner said the criminal investigation was ongoing, and Southern Water was in the process of replacing the broken sewage pipe.