Water engineers investigating a leak at a popular Scottish beach were forced to discharge sewage into the sea after discovering a second fault.
Bathers had been advised to steer clear of the water near Saltcoats and Ardrossan after the first problem was discovered on Wednesday.
An investigation has now uncovered a further fault in a pipeline carrying waste from Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said the latest issue required workers to make an "emergency" discharge of screened sewage into the sea at nearby Stevenston.
Signs along the seafront have been updated to advise against bathing or paddling until the problem has been resolved.
North Ayrshire Council has also advised people visiting the seafront in Saltcoats, Stevenston and Ardrossan not to enter the water.
Further testing will be carried out to determine when it is safe for the public to return to the water.
It comes after another beach in Fife was also declared off limits due to pollution.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has said that people should avoid contact with the water at Kinghorn Beach in Fife due to contamination in a burn that flows into the harbour.
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A spokesperson for SEPA said: “SEPA has been informed by Scottish Water of another pollution incident potentially affecting Saltcoats bathing water caused by a fault in a nearby rising main pipeline downstream of the previous burst near Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station.
“Scottish Water are on site at this location to carry out repairs to the sewer network and need to make an emergency, temporary discharge of screened sewage to the sea at Stevenston.
“SEPA officers will carry out water quality testing at the bathing water, inspections of the beaches and continue to be in contact Scottish Water and North Ayrshire Council to monitor the situation closely.”
They added: “Signage at Saltcoats has been updated to advise against paddling or bathing and will continue to reflect this guidance until we are satisfied there is no risk.”
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