Sewage described as 'bubbling' and a 'risk to public health' in a river has been an ongoing problem for seven months.

The waste in the River Yare in Thorpe St Andrew was first reported by a member of the public last August.

It prompted an investigation led by Thorpe St Andrew Town Council and involving the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, which found the waste was not due to a to a burst sewerage pipe.

At a town council meeting on Monday night, Thomas Foreman, town clerk, drew the conclusion that the sewage - which was described as "bubbling" - was being "pumped straight out into the river".

The waste was also described as a "serious public health issue" by councillor Ian Mackie.

Frustrated councillors at the meeting blasted the Environment Agency, with Sue Lawn, deputy town mayor, branding their response "shameful".

But an Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Since receiving reports of sewage in the River Yare, we have been working hard with the local landowner and Anglian Water, to confirm the source of the pollution.

"We understand there is an issue with a private sewage pipe link (which does not belong to Anglian Water) and have been in discussions with the land owner about alternative solutions.

"This has a difficult issue to resolve due to the location, intermittent nature of the discharge and the difficulty in taking samples of any discharge into the river but we have now completed much of our investigation. We are expecting to receive the final plan, with timescales, from the owner imminently.

"We remain committed to improving water quality on the Yare."