AFTER years of problems with sewage seeping from drains on to a well-used beach, South West Water (SWW) are starting work to fix the problem.

Residents in Looe are welcoming the news following continual problems with sewage discharging on Hannafore Beach and into the sea.

During the next five months, SWW will spend nearly £800,000 in Looe installing a new drain diverting rainwater from roads out of the sewers and enlarging the outfall pipe from the sewage pumping station at Hannafore Point.

The work will take place around the tides, seven days a week, to try and get the problem sorted by next spring.

Despite work being carried out on the West side of the town, some residents say it is 'not sufficient' and not enough is being done to combat the 'stink' on main walking routes used by visitors.

Looe resident Dr Weston of Barbican Hill said: 'The state of the sewage system in East Looe is appaling, the drain outside our home is smelling of sewage on a regular basis, to the extent that it can sometimes be smelt inside our home 50 yards away. 

'Not only is this a health hazard but many tourists and locals using the road comment adversely about the smell and this reflects badly on the whole of the tourist trade in Looe.'

Many locals are angry that new developments are being built claiming current sewer systems can't cope. The work is due to be complete at the end of February next year.