Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and the party's Environment spokesperson visited the River Frome on July 5 following news that four sewage monitors were found to be faulty last year in the town.

Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: "This is a national scandal. The South West is home to Britain's beautiful beaches, lakes and rivers. Millions of people flock every year to the region to enjoy clean swimming water in the summer holidays. This new research reveals we have no idea just how polluted our precious swimming water is.

"All of these sewage monitors must be fixed before the summer holidays begin. Families have the right to know if the water they are swimming in is clean and safe. "

The MP was in Frome with the Liberal Democrat candidate for the forthcoming by-election in Frome on July 20.

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Somerton & Frome, Sarah Dyke said: "The River Frome must be protected at all costs from disgraceful sewage dumps. I am shocked to discover that sewage monitors along the river are in fact broken. The river could be far more polluted than we first feared. 

"It is time the Environment Secretary visited Somerset and saw the sewage pollution for themselves."