POLLUTION warnings for Dorset beaches could've been sparked by 'a number of factors', says the Environment Agency.

An interactive map shared by environmental campaign group, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), sparked concern after Boscombe Pier and Lulworth Cove were marked with a 'Pollution Risk Warning'.

But the Environment Agency (EA), who issued the forecasts, have said that recent weather could've influenced the water quality at the two locations.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The interactive map shared on Twitter by Surfers Against Sewage. Photo: @sascampaignsThe interactive map shared on Twitter by Surfers Against Sewage. Photo: @sascampaigns

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "There are a number of factors that can influence the quality of bathing waters. These include wind, sunlight, rain and tide and can lead to short term pollution arising as bacteria is washed into the sea.

"Sources of the bacteria can include water draining from agricultural and urban land during periods of heavy rain, as we have seen over the last couple of days.

"Short term pollution cases are where we expect the pollution to last for no more than 72 hours and we use the Pollution Risk Forecasting system to give out information when this will happen and to advise against bathing."

The interactive map by SAS also showed a "Pollution Risk Warning" by Seatown Stream and Eypemouth, and stated "Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours".

However, Wessex Water have confirmed that their sewage overflows had not been discharged at Boscombe Pier and Lulworth Cove.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: "We can confirm that our overflows have not discharged in Boscombe and Lulworth in the past 48 hours.

"Storm overflows are sometimes used during heavy rainstorms to protect properties and roads from sewer flooding by releasing stormwater into watercourses.

"While it's extremely rare for storm overflows to cause a sewage pollution incident, we're committed to completely eliminating the discharge of any untreated sewage. Every month we're investing £3million to reduce storm overflows, starting with those which discharge most frequently or which have any environmental impact."