IN PICTURES: Surfers Against Sewage take to the waves to protest about water quality at Scarborough's South Bay

The protests were coordinated by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), who have called for an end to the sewage discharges plaguing the UK’s rivers and seas, as sewage overflows continue to have a devastating impact on ecological and human health.

Surfers Against Sewage, north-eastern representative, Steve Crawford said: “Scarborough has been highlighted as an area particularly troubled by pollution and poor water quality.

“SAS and local residents want to give a clear message to Yorkshire Water, NYC, the Environment Agency and the media that we are angry our town is being damaged by the negligence and lack of clear purpose being displayed”

Surfing school businessman Mr. Crawford was featured extensively in the national media last year regarding his loss of income due to the deterioration of the South Bay bathing waters.

Giles Bristow, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Thousands are protesting on the water this weekend to let politicians, regulators and water companies know that the public aren’t going to let them wriggle out of demands for clean seas and rivers.

“We’re calling for plans that are ambitious enough to end sewage pollution in high-priority nature sites and the waters we surf, swim and paddle in by 2030, putting people and nature before profit.

“We won’t tolerate this broken system any longer.”

SAS is calling for an end to sewage discharges into all bathing waters and high-priority nature sites by 2030.

To find out more visit: sas.org.uk.