Britons have been warned not to swim at a popular seaside beauty spot after mystery pollution turned a nearby waterway bright blue.
The Environment Agency (EA) issued the precautionary warning at Exmouth Beach in Devon after the vivid substance appeared in Littleham Brook.
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The brook flows directly towards the popular bathing waters, with the pollutant continuing to make its way downstream.
Officials have yet to establish whether the mysterious substance is toxic and are awaiting further information before declaring the water safe.
Investigators have traced the pollution to an industrial source and confirmed that the discharge has now stopped.
Despite the striking blue discolouration, the EA said it had found no visible environmental damage.
Officials also stressed that the incident was not connected to the sewage network.
An EA spokesman said: “A bright blue substance was reported in Littleham Brook, Exmouth.
“We attended and found no visible environmental impacts, but issued an advice against bathing as a precaution.”
Investigators worked overnight to establish where the mystery substance had originated.
The spokesman added: “It was traced to an industrial source, but it has stopped. It is not linked to the sewage network.”
However, pollution already released into the brook continued travelling towards the coast after the source was stopped.
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The agency said: “The pollutant is still moving downstream and is likely to reach the bathing water this afternoon.
“We’re awaiting toxicity information, so the advice against bathing on Swimfo remains. We’ll review again later and lift it when safe.”
The warning comes despite Exmouth receiving an “Excellent” rating in the EA’s latest annual bathing water classification.
Littleham Brook runs for around four-and-a-half kilometres from Littleham Village towards the Devon coast.
It passes through Green Farm and Maer Farm before reaching Maer Bridge, where it is channelled beneath the beach.
The waterway then empties into the sea at Maer Rocks, meaning contamination in the brook can directly affect Exmouth’s bathing waters.
Water quality at the beach can also be influenced by the much larger Exe Estuary catchment.
The EA is continuing to investigate the incident.
Its advice against bathing will remain in place while officials await further information about the pollutant.
The warning will be reviewed once the agency is satisfied the water is safe for swimmers.
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