There is hope that a £10m project to prevent waste flooding out on to Ayr beach will stop it being an ‘open sewer’.

Although you will not see it mentioned in promotional material, the town’s South Beach suffers from floods of faecal matter whenever there is heavy rain.

Plans for huge storm tanks promise to improve the situation so swimmers can enjoy the water without fear of coming across something unsavoury.

Katie Nicol, an open-water swimmer for 50 years, was excited to have the beach on her doorstep when she moved to Ayr, but was ‘horrified to realise the truth of what was lurking beneath the surface of this beautiful bay whenever it rains’.

She said: “I feel locals and visitors alike have been largely unaware of the shocking state of the waters in Ayr Bay.

“The beach is so often mentioned in promotional material, yet, for the majority of days in any one year, it has become an open sewer – quite a medieval state of affairs.

“Even today, when the sun is shining and the winds are light, perfect swimming conditions, the SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) warning is for poor water quality in the bay.”

Katie said the £10million from Scottish Water cannot be spent fast enough.

The SEPA bathing water profile for the South Beach notes how its golden sands that gently slope towards the water are 'prized by locals'.

It goes on: "Bathing is not advised during or one to two days after heavy rainfall. This is due to the risk to bathers’ health from water pollution.

"DNA tracing indicates that human sources and animal sources are contributing to faecal pollution of the bathing water."

Scotland’s national water service commences improvement works this month including the installation of more storm tank storage at Belleisle and treatment sites at Mauchline and Drongan.

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “Once completed next spring, our investment will ensure more waste water is stored and then treated in stormy weather conditions. This will help reduce the frequency and volume of spills in the river network that flows to Ayr (South) Beach.

“This beach is a fantastic asset for local people and large numbers of tourists and holidaymakers.

"It is therefore vitally important that we continue to collaborate with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, South Ayrshire Council and other parties as part of the delivery of this investment and other improvement initiatives.”

A Council spokesperson said: "SEPA and Scottish Water, supported by the Scottish Government, are improving water quality at Ayr (South Beach) ahead of the 2021 Bathing Season.

"South Ayrshire Council is supporting these improvements."