EXPERTS are making a fresh bid to discover the cause of water contamination at a popular Clacton beach.

Swimmers have been warned about the dangers of bathing near the pier after it repeatedly failed water quality tests.

E-coli and intestinal enterococci have been found in the water off Groyne 41.

The pollution was blamed on bird poo which led to a cull of the large number pigeons living under the pier.

The Environment Agency believed the droppings could be having a "significant impact" on water quality and pollution levels fell after the cull.

But it is now thought the birds are only a minor source of the contamination.

Extensive tests carried out on sewerage networks also failed to reveal the cause.

An intensive water sampling programme carried out in August 2016 revealed significant levels of contamination near the pier especially at periods near low tides.

Water samples taken below the beach surface were also found to be contaminated.

The agency says there is now evidence that the contamination could be contained within the groundwater.

New investigations are being carried out today.***SEP08***

Senior environment officer John Daniels said: “We are working closely with partners to try and establish the cause of bathing water quality issues at Clacton.

"Investigations have led us to believe that contaminated groundwater is the most likely source of the problem.

“We will continue to investigate the pollution sources at the beach to help improve water quality.”

He added: "Tendring’s bathing waters were generally of a very high standard, with excellent and good ratings for most beaches.

“Samples are taken regularly throughout the bathing water season and this enables us to check they are safe for people to enjoy. "We know how much people like going to the beach and the great benefit this has on the local economy. We will continue our work to ensure these standards are upheld."