Hundreds of people are expected to descend on a beach in Falmouth this lunchtime in protest over frequent sewage discharges in the area.

The protest is part of a mass paddle-out protest highlighting the issue of sewage pollution, organised by charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), with more than 12 events occurring simultaneously at beaches and rivers across the UK today (Saturday, May 20).

At Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth more than 200 people are expected to attend the protest, which begins at 12pm on the main beach area and is expected to run for three hours.

Swimmers, paddlers, surfers, canoers, kayakers, paddle-boarders, windsurfers and others in support of the campaign will be heading into the water to make their demands heard.

The protest will extend to the beach for those who don’t wish to enter the water.

We'll be bringing you photos from the event later. 

SAS are also urging the public to sign their 'Dirty Money' petition, which demands an end to water companies profiting from pollution.

Izzy Ross, SAS campaign manager, said: “On Saturday hundreds of people across the UK will be standing together with one voice for the ocean.

“The SAS team, volunteers and supporters from across Cornwall will be paddling out in protest against sewage pollution at 12pm on Gylly Beach, Falmouth.

“For too long South West Water has been profiting from pollution, neglecting to upkeep sewage infrastructure and pouring dangerous amounts of raw sewage into our water regularly. We only have one ocean, let’s fight for it.

“Come down to the beach this Saturday and join the tidal wave of support to end sewage pollution.”

A similar protest was held at Gyllyngvase last October, organised by Jo Curd, owner of Longe Cote UK, which is based at the beach.

More than 200 people were estimated to have attended the protest, which was held in frustration over the amount of sewage alerts. At one stage at the beginning of September there were 11 waste water spills in just eight days.

New survey data released by SAS earlier this month revealed that 85% of Brits support a ban on bonuses for CEOs who fail to adhere to minimum environmental standards, while just one fifth (21%) of UK adults are confident that water companies are using their money to improve services.

Earlier this month it was revealed that South West Water chief executive Susan Davy was joining the CEOs of tw other water companies in declining their bonuses this year, saying she understood the “strength of feeling” on river pollution.

A House of Lords committee said in March that water bosses should not receive bonuses while their companies are missing targets and polluting the environment.

It said “a slurry of under-investment, insufficient government strategy, and inadequate co-ordination” has meant water is not being treated with the care and importance it deserves.

The committee also said the regulator, Ofwat, has failed to ensure companies invest enough money into infrastructure.

The Government has said it is forcing water companies to invest £56 million in updating its infrastructure, much of which is decades old.