Combe Martin Beach.

Well attended public meeting hailed a success as efforts get underway to clean up the water before new EU standards come in.

A meeting to look at ways of improving water quality at Combe Martin Beach has been hailed “very positive” by organisers.

More than 130 people attended the meeting called by the Combe Martin Bathing Water Committee, set up by publican Mervyn Lethaby.

The group has also applied for an £80,000 grant to employ someone for two years, dedicated to improving water quality and working alongside South West Water in a full time post.

The beach failed existing minimum standards last year and there are fears businesses and tourism would be irreparably harmed by the poor water quality, particularly when more stringent EU bathing standards are introduced in 2015.

Also at the meeting was a South West Water delegation that included Richard Gilpin, its head of waste water services, plus representatives from the Environment Agency, county, district and parish councils.

Trevor Kibble, press and publicity officer for the committee, said it had been a very positive meeting:

“All those present thought so and agreed to work together to try and make certain the quality of water from 2015 is of sufficient high standards to qualify as a clean beach,” he said.

“We are keeping the pressure on everyone, as the clock it ticking on this and we have got top make certain we get the best result we possibly can.”

The group will also be meeting with North Devon MP Nick Harvey on Friday, May 11.