Oil Spill Closes 18 Kent Beaches

Eighteen beaches in Kent have been closed due to an oil spill. Thanet District Council reported the incident on Wednesday evening and said the clean-up will take "many days".

"Significant deposits of oil" were found at beaches across the Isle of Thanet, including Ramsgate and the popular tourist beaches of Margate and Broadstairs. The source of the oil has not been identified, and the Environmental Agency is investigating.

Mike Humber, director for the environment at the council, said the decision to close the beaches was made to protect the public. East Thanet MP Polly Billington said she was being kept up-to-date with developments and was "hoping to see our beautiful beaches reopened as quickly as possible".

Thanet District Council urged people, particularly dog walkers, to avoid the affected areas, and to report any deposits of oil on beaches to the authority. Early theories for the spill include a ship having washed out its engine, or the oil having come from a wreck which has broken up. John Nichols, former chairman of the Thanet Fishermen's Association, said he thought the oil had "most likely come from a wartime wreck and engine fuel".

The Environmental Agency said it is working with the local council and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to investigate the source of the pollution, assess any environmental impacts and take any action that is required to reduce its impact. As a precaution, the agency has advised against swimming at affected locations while investigations continue.