A group of 12 open water swimmers who are taking on the challenge of swimming from Gosport to Ryde on the Isle of Wight have slammed Southern Water for impacting their training.

Lorna Ball, 37, is one of the 12 swimmers who will be taking on the four-mile open water swim, starting at Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.

The group will embark on the challenge this Sunday, starting at 11.30am.

Their hard work and training will all be in support of Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service, for which each swimmer has raised more than £350.

Lorna told the Echo: “This is the first time I will be taking part this year – I understand that last year was a real challenge for the swimmer due to the rough weather.

“I have only done a little open water swimming before – going from pier to per in Bournemouth.

“The difference in Bournemouth is that the water is lovely and clear.

“Due to Southern Water’s constant sewage dumping we have had so many health and safety concerns.”

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After a period of dumping from storm overflows, swimmers are advised not to swim in the water for 48 hours.

Mum-of-two Lorna said: “That has really impacted our training as it can be difficult to find the time to get a good bit of swimming done in open water.

“The other swimmers and I taking part think that Southern Water should be held to account for its unchecked sewage dumping.

“I even worry my children could get ill taking them to the beach.”

Southern Water has said reducing storm overflows had been extremely difficult as the 18 months between September 2022 and February 2024 had been the wettest since records began in 1836.

Director for Wastewater Operations, John Penicud, said: “Slashing the number of storm releases is top priority for us - and our customers.

“Last November we announced our £1.5 billion storm overflow reduction plan which will combine innovative engineering with nature-based solutions. 

“We’re extensively relining sewers, to keep sewage in and rainwater out, and our storm release reduction pilot schemes have already proved that nature-based systems can have a real impact.”