Dog walkers urged to avoid the shoreline after oil spill washes up on Gorleston beach

Dog walkers are being advised to keep their pets away from the beach shoreline at Gorleston following a possible oil spill.

The advice has come for a second successive day from coastguards, after the oil washed up on about two miles of the shoreline, running from Gorleston-on-Sea pier to Hopton.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard Gorleston said: 'Coastguards from Gorleston and Winterton have been busy assessing the affected areas.

We have provided detailed information to the relevant agencies and they will plan and respond accordingly. We still advise walkers not to go near to the shoreline.'

Yesterday (Saturday), ten coastguard rescue officers from Gorleston and Winterton were called out.

Steve Williams – officer in charge for HM Coastguard Gorleston – said: 'The team got called about 10.15am, from Humber, following reports of a pollution incident on Gorleston beach.

'It starts from here (at Gorleston), all over the top of the pier right the way down to Hopton at the moment.

'The advice to dog walkers is to please keep all dogs away from the waters edge.'

Mr Williams added: 'It is breaking up at sea, as the waves are quite rough, but as the tide comes in it is leaving a residue along the beach. So the advice is to keep dogs off the shoreline.'

Samples have been taken to determine the source of the pollution, and the coastguard rescue officers are now awaiting an assessment from Great Yarmouth Borough Council's environmental health team.

Mr Williams added: 'It does seem to be worse as you go further south down to Hopton. The samples have been taken and Humber will investigate that. 'There are dark patches close to the shoreline where the residue is being left.'